Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Meridian?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Meridian?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 35% higher in Meridian, ID. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,523

+75% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,540

+77% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,489

+35% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,893

+42% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$485,000

+164% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$98,686

+54% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,100

+5% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.4 yr

+2.8 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

60.4%

76.1%

+15.7 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

44.4%

+15.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

19.6 min

22.3 min

+2.7 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

150.3

+79% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

583.5

+82% 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

52.5°F

+1.6°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

11.7 in

+24.3 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.4

+10% in Des Moines, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$11.33

+49% in Des Moines, IA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

5.30%

+1.5 pp in ID

Des Moines vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Meridian?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Meridian?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).