Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Provo?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Provo?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 2% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,009

+16% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$870

$978

+12% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,128

+3% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,381

+4% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$437,100

+138% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$62,800

+2% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$48,010

+7% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

23.7 yr

+10.9 yr in Des Moines, IA

Homeownership

60.4%

39.9%

+20.5 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

45.0%

+16.0 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

19.6 min

18.5 min

+1.1 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

205.7

+71% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,280.6

+59% 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

53.4°F

+2.5°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

19.8 in

+16.3 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

13.4

+16% in Des Moines, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$11.84

+47% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

4.50%

+0.7 pp in UT

Des Moines vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Provo?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Provo?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).