Des Moines IA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.7 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 3.4% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 58.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.4% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.9% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $47,532 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $27,407 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,300 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 24.5% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 21.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 52.7% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Toledo
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 319 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1866 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.6% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.3% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.9% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Des Moines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.3 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Toledo. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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