Des Moines IA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Washington
13.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.9 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 13.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 39.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 11.6% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $580,173 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 41.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 24.0% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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