Des Moines IA vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 111,514 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.1 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 4.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 0.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $55,305 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,949 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 22.8% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Pueblo
$286,326
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $286,326 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.7°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.1 min | Tie |
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 512 in Pueblo. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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