Des Moines IA vs St. George UT — 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
St. George
7.4%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 99,184 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 7.4% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 12.0% | 0.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.7% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $36,254 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $456,900 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 63.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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