Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Providence?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Providence?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 4% higher in Providence, RI. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,116

+28% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,030

+18% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,323

+20% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,627

+22% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$322,800

+76% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$66,772

+4% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$53,680

+4% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

32.9 yr

+1.7 yr in Des Moines, IA

Homeownership

60.4%

41.2%

+19.2 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

34.7%

+5.7 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

19.6 min

25.0 min

+5.4 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

282.4

+60% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,665.6

+47% 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

51.6°F

+0.7°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

47.2 in

+11.2 in in Providence, RI

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

29.5

+108% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$16.06

+2% in Providence, RI

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 Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

5.99%

+2.2 pp in RI

Des Moines vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Providence?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Providence?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% 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).