Des Moines IA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 174,693 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 66.9% | 44.0% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 8.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $791,317 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 34.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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