Des Moines IA vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 44,998 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 57.8 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 66.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 12.0% | 5.4% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $503,393 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 63.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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