Des Moines IA vs West Valley City UT — 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%
West Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Des Moines
66.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
West Valley City
$473,364
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $473,364 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
West Valley City
1931
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | West Valley City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
West Valley City
33.5%
West Valley City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
West Valley City
10.6%
West Valley City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 33.5% | West Valley City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | West Valley City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.5% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.8% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.8% | West Valley City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | West Valley City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Valley City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Des Moines. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Valley City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA