Des Moines IA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 186,419 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 13.9% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 60.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 7.8% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 16.2% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $468,328 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 41.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 71.3°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.2 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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