Des Moines IA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.3 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 12.0% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.0% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 15.6% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $297,017 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1960 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.0% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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