Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Des Moines?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Des Moines?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Des Moines.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Des Moines?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Des Moines under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Des Moines Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/mo est.

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Aurora, CO versus $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 25% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio

—

$870

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$870

+24% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$1,099

+52% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,334

+43% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$183,700

+73% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$63,966

+25% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$51,820

+17% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

34.6 yr

+0.7 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

60.4%

+14.4 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

29.0%

+12.4 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

19.6 min

+0.9 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

707.3

+26% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

3,156.6

+6% in Aurora, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

50.9°F

+0.7°F in Des Moines, IA

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

36.0 in

+20.4 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

14.1

+12% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$15.72

+32% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / IA)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

3.80%

+0.6 pp in CO

Aurora vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Des Moines?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Des Moines?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Des Moines?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).