Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 38% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio
$870
$801
+8% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$752
+14% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,001
+9% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,195
+10% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$76,800
+58% in Des Moines, IA

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$39,575
+38% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$52,080
+1% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
35.1 yr
+0.5 yr in Detroit, MI
Homeownership
60.4%
49.7%
+10.7 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
17.6%
+11.4 pp in Des Moines, IA
Avg Commute
19.6 min
25.4 min
+5.8 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
1,783.4
+152% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
3,156.6
4,391.6
+39% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
50.3°F
+0.6°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
31.3 in
+4.7 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
22.0
+56% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$14.07
+10% 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 (IA / MI)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.25%
+0.5 pp in MI

Des Moines vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Detroit?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Des Moines, IA's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Detroit?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Detroit?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).