Des Moines IA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.4 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 9.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 61.6% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 8.9% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $427,121 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1726 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 25.0 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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