Des Moines IA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 43.1 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 66.2% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 9.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $331,500 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
1453
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 324 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1453 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, 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 324 in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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