Des Moines IA vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 58.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,929 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 59.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 429 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2375 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 37.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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