Des Moines IA vs New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
New York
35.9%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 66.9% | 35.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 17.4% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $816,078 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 32.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
New York
1736
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, 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 York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
New York
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 55.4°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 46.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 44.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 York. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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