Des Moines IA vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
66.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
2.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 48,198 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 40.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 4.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 66.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $48,535 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,033 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 9.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 23.7% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 22.8% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
57.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $920,484 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
New Rochelle
1736
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Rochelle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
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, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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