Des Moines IA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
12.4%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.4% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 12.0% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 11.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $538,687 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 52.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 355 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3001 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 78.3 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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