Living Cost Compare
Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,020 in Des Moines, IA. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $63,966 in Des Moines, IA — about 24% higher in Des Moines, IA. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY
Des Moines, IA

Rent

Studio
$878
$870
+1% in Bowling Green, KY
1 Bedroom
$833
$870
+4% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$960
$1,099
+14% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,214
$1,334
+10% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$232,100
$183,700
+21% in Bowling Green, KY

Income

Median Household Income
$48,419
$63,966
+32% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,040
$51,820
+15% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.9 yr
34.6 yr
+6.7 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
37.3%
60.4%
+23.1 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.0%
29.0%
+3.0 pp in Bowling Green, KY
Avg Commute
18.8 min
19.6 min
+0.8 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
231
707.3
+206% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
2,984.4
3,156.6
+6% 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
58.0°F
50.9°F
+7.1°F in Bowling Green, KY
Annual Precipitation
49.9 in
36.0 in
+13.9 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.0
14.1
+6% in Bowling Green, KY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.48
$15.72
+47% in Bowling Green, KY

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 Bowling Green, KY
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
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / IA)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
3.80%
+0.3 pp in IA

Bowling Green vs Des Moines — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Des Moines?
They're close. Bowling Green, KY runs about $1,020 a month and Des Moines, IA about $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Des Moines?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $35,000 in Des Moines.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Des Moines?
Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).