Des Moines IA vs Port St. Lucie 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 43.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 66.9% | 60.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 19.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $36,352 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 26.8% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $327,700 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, 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%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.5% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, 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 Port St. Lucie. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA