Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Memphis?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Memphis?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 20% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$870

$877

+1% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$870

$948

+9% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,073

+2% in Des Moines, IA

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,281

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$157,100

+14% in Des Moines, IA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$51,211

+20% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$46,890

+10% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

34.3 yr

+0.3 yr in Des Moines, IA

Homeownership

60.4%

46.0%

+14.4 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

28.2%

+0.8 pp in Des Moines, IA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

21.3 min

+1.7 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

2,507.6

+255% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,156.6

6,966.3

+121% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+12.2°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

53.7 in

+17.7 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.5

+2% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$16.83

+7% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Memphis?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Memphis?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).