Des Moines IA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 105,460 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 5.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.4% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 7.5% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $35,235 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 24.8% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $414,734 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, 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%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.4 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 Spokane Valley. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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