Des Moines IA vs Pompano Beach FL — 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%
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
41.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Pompano Beach +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Pompano Beach +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 112,212 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 41.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 32.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 66.9% | 48.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 28.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 24.9% | Pompano Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Pompano Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Pompano Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Pompano Beach
31.1%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $63,832 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $39,377 | Pompano Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Pompano Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.3% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.1% | Pompano Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
53.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $353,345 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 324 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1453 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Pompano Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Pompano Beach
17.2%
Pompano Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Pompano Beach
14.4%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 31.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | Pompano Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.7% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Pompano Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 75.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 60.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pompano Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pompano Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 29.9 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 324 in Pompano Beach. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Pompano Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pompano Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.3%.
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