Living Cost Compare
Anaheim

California

$2,090/mo est.

vs
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,090 in Anaheim, CA versus $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anaheim, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,583 in Anaheim, CA and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 29% higher in Anaheim, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Anaheim, CA
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$1,929
$870
+55% in Anaheim, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,764
$870
+51% in Anaheim, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,171
$1,099
+49% in Anaheim, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,653
$1,334
+50% in Anaheim, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$771,700
$183,700
+76% in Anaheim, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$90,583
$63,966
+29% in Anaheim, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,850
$51,820
+7% in Anaheim, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.9 yr
34.6 yr
+1.3 yr in Anaheim, CA
Homeownership
45.9%
60.4%
+14.5 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.8%
29.0%
+0.2 pp in Des Moines, IA
Avg Commute
28.2 min
19.6 min
+8.6 min in Anaheim, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
597.7
707.3
+18% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
2,234.9
3,156.6
+41% in Des Moines, IA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
67.1°F
50.9°F
+16.2°F in Anaheim, CA
Annual Precipitation
13.4 in
36.0 in
+22.6 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.40/gal
$3.94/gal
+27% in Anaheim, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
—

Adult base one-way fare — OCTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
33.3
14.1
+57% in Anaheim, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.72
$15.72
+24% in Anaheim, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Anaheim, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Anaheim, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Des Moines, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Anaheim, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Des Moines, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Anaheim, CA

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / IA)
7.25%
6%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
3.80%
+9.5 pp in CA

Anaheim vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anaheim or Des Moines?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Anaheim, CA's $2,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anaheim than in Des Moines?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $71,000 a year in Anaheim versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Anaheim or Des Moines?
Anaheim is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Des Moines under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).