Des Moines IA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 43.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 10.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $62,671 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 18.8% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $374,265 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 43.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1726 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 58.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 43.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 min | Des Moines + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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