Des Moines IA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 66.9% | 53.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.8% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $297,021 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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