Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,050 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 21% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$870
+32% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$870
+37% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$1,099
+35% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,334
+26% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$183,700
+58% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$63,966
+21% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$51,820
+6% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
34.6 yr
+6.9 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
45.6%
60.4%
+14.8 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
29.0%
+48.7 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
19.6 min
+0.3 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
707.3
+127% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
1,744.5
3,156.6
+81% 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
47.7°F
50.9°F
+3.2°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
36.0 in
+3.2 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
15.9
+31% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$22.16
+12% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

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

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / IA)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
3.80%
+0.5 pp in MI

Ann Arbor vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Des Moines?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Des Moines?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Des Moines?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).