Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Mesa?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Mesa?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 19% higher in Mesa, AZ. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,209

+39% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,288

+48% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,458

+33% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,819

+36% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$364,300

+98% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$78,779

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$51,380

+1% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.2 yr

+2.6 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

60.4%

64.4%

+4.0 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

31.5%

+2.5 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

19.6 min

25.0 min

+5.4 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

486.2

+31% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,488

+53% 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

75.1°F

+24.2°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

8.0 in

+28.0 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Mesa, AZ

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.2

+8% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$22.44

+43% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / AZ)

5.6%

+0.4 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

2.50%

+1.3 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Mesa?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Mesa?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).