Des Moines IA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 102,558 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 7.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 12.0% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $58,568 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $31,987 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 17.4% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 25.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.0% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 63.4°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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