Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Frederick?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Frederick?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 33% higher in Frederick, MD. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,658

+91% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,418

+63% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,661

+51% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,863

+40% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$365,200

+99% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$95,150

+49% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$71,060

+37% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.1 yr

+2.5 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

60.4%

59.2%

+1.2 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

41.8%

+12.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

19.6 min

30.1 min

+10.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

406

+43% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,696.3

+46% 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

50.9°F

52.1°F

+1.2°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Des Moines, IA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

21.8

+54% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$18.94

+20% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Des Moines, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Des Moines, IA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / MD)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

6.50%

+2.7 pp in MD

Des Moines vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Frederick?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Frederick?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).