Des Moines IA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.8% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 6.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $871,599 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 44.3% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 383 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3409 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 37.5 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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