Des Moines IA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 75,721 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 66.9% | 48.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 6.8% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $765,686 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 45.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 383 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3409 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.2°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 40.1 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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