Des Moines IA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 117,460 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 39.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.8% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $62,789 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $35,740 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $54,550 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 28.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $313,219 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 48.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
North Charleston
19.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.8 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, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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