Des Moines IA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 115,546 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 8.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $528,447 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.6 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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