Living Cost Compare
Des Moines, IA

Cost of Living in Des Moines, IA

Population 212,464 · Iowa

~$1,020/mo est.1BR $870Home $183,700
Photo: Britt Fowler / Unsplash

The cost of living in Des Moines, IA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $870 a month — 19% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $870 and two-bedrooms $1,099.

Median household income here is $63,966, 8% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,020 before food and transport. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $870
Studio
$870
1 Bedroom
$870
2 Bedroom
$1,099
3 Bedroom
$1,334
Buying a Home$183,700
Median Home Value
$183,700
Income$63,966
Median Household Income
$63,966
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest
Milk (gal)
$4.31
Bread (lb)
$1.66
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
Bananas (lb)
$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.1¢/kWh
Electricity
14.1¢/kWh
Natural Gas
$15.72/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal
Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))
$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (IA)6% sales
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 3.80%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime707.3 violent
Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)
707.3
Property Crime (per 100k/yr)
3,156.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Des Moines Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.6 yrs
Median Age
34.6 yrs
Homeownership
60.4%
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Climate50.9°F
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in

Des Moines cost of living — FAQ

Is Des Moines expensive to live in?
Des Moines is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $870 per month ranks #88 of 112 and is 19% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Des Moines?
Average rent in Des Moines, IA runs a studio around $870, a one-bedroom around $870, a two-bedroom around $1,099, a three-bedroom around $1,334 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Des Moines?
To keep a one-bedroom rent of $870 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,966.
How much does it cost to live in Des Moines per month?
A rough monthly baseline for one person in Des Moines is about $1,020 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Des Moines with nearby cities

Des Moines vs OmahaDes Moines vs BellevueDes Moines vs LincolnDes Moines vs RochesterDes Moines vs Kansas CityDes Moines vs Sioux Falls

Nearby cities

Omaha, NE 122 miBellevue, NE 122 miLincoln, NE 169 miRochester, MN 177 miKansas City, MO 179 miSioux Falls, SD 208 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.