Des Moines IA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 13.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 53.8% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.7% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $435,807 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 51.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.1°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 46.2 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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