Des Moines IA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 169,432 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 3.8% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 12.0% | 4.3% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 5.6% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $45,984 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,864 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.4% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $245,279 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 42.9% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 501 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2418 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.1% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 56.3°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 45.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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