Des Moines IA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 49.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 11.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.4% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $858,307 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 72.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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