Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Des Moines?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $35,000 in Des Moines.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Des Moines?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).

Baltimore vs Des Moines Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$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 Baltimore, MD versus $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 7% higher in Des Moines, IA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$870

+17% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$870

+19% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,099

+19% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,334

+14% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$183,700

+16% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$63,966

+7% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$51,820

+12% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

34.6 yr

+1.5 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

60.4%

+12.9 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

29.0%

+6.4 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.6 min

+9.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

707.3

+56% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

3,156.6

+25% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

50.9°F

+10.5°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

36.0 in

+6.4 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Des Moines, IA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.72

+17% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Des Moines, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Des Moines, IA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.80%

+2.7 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Des Moines?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Des Moines?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Des Moines?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).