Des Moines is the richest metropolitan area in America, at least by one measure, according to a U.S. & World Report News analysis of data for U.S. metro areas with a population of 500,000 or larger.

Des Moines has the highest median income in the nation relative to the cost of living. Incomes were computed using median household incomes and the cost of living index (COLI), as measured by the Council for Community Economic Research.

The index takes into account prices on a variety of basic goods and services, as well as common expenses such as movie tickets and newspapers.

Des Moines, according to 2009 numbers, had a COLI of 90.6 (100 is average) and a median household income of $56,576, leading to an “adjusted median income” of $62,446.

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