Des Moines IA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 154,751 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 40.8% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $51,339 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $27,054 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 25.3% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 19.7% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $298,985 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 49.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 326 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 39.6% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 21.1% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.5% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, 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 326 in Springfield. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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