Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/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 $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 10% 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 $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 2% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio
$870
$707
+19% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$730
+16% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$956
+13% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,287
+4% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$191,500
+4% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$62,546
+2% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,940
+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
35.7 yr
+1.1 yr in Green Bay, WI
Homeownership
60.4%
55.9%
+4.5 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
25.5%
+3.5 pp in Des Moines, IA
Avg Commute
19.6 min
18.9 min
+0.7 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
501.7
+29% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
1,331.2
+58% 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
44.3°F
+6.6°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
29.5 in
+6.5 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
19.7
+40% in Green Bay, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$11.79
+25% 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 / WI)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
7.65%
+3.9 pp in WI

Des Moines vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Green Bay?
Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Green Bay?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Green Bay?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% 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).