Des Moines IA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 203,888 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 66.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.3% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $580,126 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 46.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.3 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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