Des Moines IA vs New Haven CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 132,893 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 66.9% | 36.8% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $53,771 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $34,482 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 25.0% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $330,564 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 28.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.9% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.2°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 47.1 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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