Des Moines IA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
11.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 68,505 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 12.0% | 9.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 3.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $561,069 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 46.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 47.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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