Des Moines IA vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 36.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 6.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 45.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.4% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 5.1% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $55,279 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 19.8% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 45.4% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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