Des Moines IA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 135,806 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 66.9% | 49.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $708,498 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 47.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.3°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 53.2 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 30.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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