Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Newark?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Newark?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 24% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,111

+28% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$870

$978

+12% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,386

+26% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,695

+27% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$337,800

+84% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$48,416

+24% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$61,430

+19% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

34.8 yr

+0.2 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

60.4%

24.1%

+36.3 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

17.4%

+11.6 pp in Des Moines, IA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

33.2 min

+13.6 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

582.5

+18% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,961.8

+38% 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

54.9°F

+4.0°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

46.3 in

+10.2 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Des Moines, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

23.3

+65% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$15.93

+1% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / NJ)

6.625%

+0.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

10.75%

+7.0 pp in NJ

Des Moines vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Newark?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Newark?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).