Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lincoln, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 9% higher in Lincoln, NE. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio
$870
$851
+2% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$879
+1% in Lincoln, NE
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,070
+3% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,379
+3% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$248,200
+35% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$69,991
+9% in Lincoln, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,800
+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
33.4 yr
+1.2 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
60.4%
55.8%
+4.6 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
41.0%
+12.0 pp in Lincoln, NE
Avg Commute
19.6 min
18.3 min
+1.3 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
363.1
+49% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
2,484.4
+21% 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
51.5°F
+0.6°F in Lincoln, NE
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
30.9 in
+5.2 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
13.6
+4% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$15.53
+1% 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 / NE)
6%
5.5%
+0.5 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.55%
+0.8 pp in NE

Des Moines vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Lincoln?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Lincoln?
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 Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Lincoln?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).