Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Santa Fe

New Mexico

$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 Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 9% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio
$870
$969
+11% in Santa Fe, NM
1 Bedroom
$870
$1,167
+34% in Santa Fe, NM
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,559
+42% in Santa Fe, NM
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,733
+30% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$411,500
+124% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$70,110
+10% in Santa Fe, NM
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$48,710
+6% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
46.4 yr
+11.8 yr in Santa Fe, NM
Homeownership
60.4%
62.8%
+2.4 pp in Santa Fe, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
45.4%
+16.4 pp in Santa Fe, NM
Avg Commute
19.6 min
20.2 min
+0.6 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
843.3
+19% in Santa Fe, NM
Property Crime
3,156.6
5,189
+64% in Santa Fe, NM

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
51.9°F
+1.0°F in Santa Fe, NM
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
13.5 in
+22.5 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.62/gal
+8% in Des Moines, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
14.1
+0% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$11.90
+24% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Santa Fe, NM
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$2.04
+23% in Santa Fe, NM
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Des Moines, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$7.36
+9% in Santa Fe, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.01
+4% in Des Moines, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / NM)
6%
4.875%
+1.1 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
5.90%
+2.1 pp in NM

Des Moines vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Santa Fe?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Santa Fe?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Santa Fe?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).