Des Moines IA vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.0 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 66.9% | 50.4% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 5.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $1,006,261 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 47.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.9 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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