Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

vs
Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/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 $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 12% 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 $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio
$870
$784
+10% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$761
+13% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$947
+14% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,371
+3% in Grand Forks, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$243,300
+32% in Grand Forks, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$63,838
+0% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,760
+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
29.4 yr
+5.2 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
60.4%
46.5%
+13.9 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
39.2%
+10.2 pp in Grand Forks, ND
Avg Commute
19.6 min
14.8 min
+4.8 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
360.3
+49% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
2,290.6
+27% 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
40.0°F
+10.9°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
20.8 in
+15.2 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.9
14.1
+11% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.16
$18.21
+18% 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 / ND)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
2.50%
+1.3 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Grand Forks?
Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Des Moines, IA's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Grand Forks?
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 Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Grand Forks?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).