Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

vs
Missoula

Montana

$1,100/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 $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Missoula, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 2% higher in Missoula, MT. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio
$870
$755
+13% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$953
+10% in Missoula, MT
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,176
+7% in Missoula, MT
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,676
+26% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$427,400
+133% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$65,329
+2% in Missoula, MT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$47,830
+8% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
34.3 yr
+0.3 yr in Des Moines, IA
Homeownership
60.4%
47.8%
+12.6 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
51.7%
+22.7 pp in Missoula, MT
Avg Commute
19.6 min
16.6 min
+3.0 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
601.9
+15% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
3,685.2
+17% in Missoula, MT

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
45.9°F
+5.0°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
14.1 in
+21.9 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$4.27/gal
+11% in Missoula, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.9
15.1
+5% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.16
$10.12
+54% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Missoula, MT
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$2.04
+23% in Missoula, MT
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Des Moines, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$7.36
+9% in Missoula, MT
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.01
+4% in Des Moines, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / MT)
6%
None
+6.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
5.65%
+1.9 pp in MT

Des Moines vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Missoula?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Missoula?
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 Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Missoula?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).