Des Moines IA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.8 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 66.9% | 16.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $48,416 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $25,509 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 10.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 24.7% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 17.4% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $482,675 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 24.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 23.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.2% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 46.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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