Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Fairbanks?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Fairbanks?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Fairbanks under Alaska's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Fairbanks Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Fairbanks

Alaska

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,050 in Des Moines, IA versus $1,350 in Fairbanks, AK. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fairbanks, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $72,077 in Fairbanks, AK — about 11% higher in Fairbanks, AK. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Fairbanks, AK

Rent

Studio

$870

$883

+1% in Fairbanks, AK

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,076

+24% in Fairbanks, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,428

+30% in Fairbanks, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$2,019

+51% in Fairbanks, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$255,700

+39% in Fairbanks, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$72,077

+13% in Fairbanks, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$61,810

+19% in Fairbanks, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

28.6 yr

+6.0 yr in Des Moines, IA

Homeownership

60.4%

40.5%

+19.9 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

26.5%

+2.5 pp in Des Moines, IA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

14.1 min

+5.5 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

726.1

+3% in Fairbanks, AK

Property Crime

3,156.6

3,504.2

+11% in Fairbanks, AK

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

27.7°F

+23.2°F in Des Moines, IA

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

10.8 in

+25.2 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Fairbanks, AK

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

28.2

+77% in Fairbanks, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$17.35

+22% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Fairbanks, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Fairbanks, AK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Fairbanks, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Fairbanks, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / AK)

None

+6.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Fairbanks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Fairbanks?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Fairbanks, AK's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Fairbanks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $43,000 in Fairbanks.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Fairbanks?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Fairbanks under Alaska's (no state income tax and no 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).