Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 21% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$870
+15% in Boise, ID
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$870
+23% in Boise, ID
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,099
+18% in Boise, ID
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$1,334
+24% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$183,700
+60% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$63,966
+21% in Boise, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$51,820
+6% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
34.6 yr
+3.6 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
63.0%
60.4%
+2.6 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
29.0%
+17.6 pp in Boise, ID
Avg Commute
19.1 min
19.6 min
+0.5 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
707.3
+135% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
1,135.1
3,156.6
+178% 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
52.5°F
50.9°F
+1.6°F in Boise, ID
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
36.0 in
+24.3 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.29/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
12.3
14.1
+14% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$10.82
$15.72
+45% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

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

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / IA)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
3.80%
+1.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Des Moines?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Des Moines?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Des Moines?
Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).