Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Reno?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Reno?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 18% higher in Reno, NV. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$870

$964

+11% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,206

+39% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,518

+38% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,885

+41% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$498,600

+171% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$78,448

+23% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$49,660

+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.3 yr

+2.7 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

60.4%

49.4%

+11.0 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

35.7%

+6.7 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

19.6 min

20.6 min

+1.0 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

528.9

+25% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

2,489.3

+21% 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

53.8°F

+2.9°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

7.4 in

+28.6 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.6

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$12.09

+23% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / NV)

6.85%

+0.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Reno?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Reno?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).