Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $1,070 in Lexington, KY. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lexington, KY, driven mainly by natural gas costs.
Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $67,631 in Lexington, KY — about 5% higher in Lexington, KY. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Des Moines vs Lexington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Lexington?
- Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Lexington, KY's $1,070, mainly because of natural gas costs.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Lexington?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $35,000 in Lexington.
- Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Lexington?
- Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Lexington under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).