Des Moines IA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.8 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 66.9% | 53.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 7.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $411,323 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 72.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 27.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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