Des Moines IA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 209,720 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 41.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $46,628 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,451 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 26.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $241,627 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 37.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.6% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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 434 in Rochester. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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