Des Moines IA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.1 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 66.9% | 53.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 4.4% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $802,780 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 37.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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