Des Moines IA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 94,723 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 12.0% | 0.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.5% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 11.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $672,082 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA