Des Moines IA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Salem
12.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 176,666 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $438,754 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 55.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 355 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3001 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 41.4% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.0°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 39.7 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.5 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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