Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $2,210 in San Diego, CA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 54% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $104,321 in San Diego, CA — about 39% higher in San Diego, CA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs California.
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTS (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Des Moines vs San Diego — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or San Diego?
- Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below San Diego, CA's $2,210, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in San Diego?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $75,000 in San Diego.
- Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or San Diego?
- Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); San Diego under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).