Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Spokane?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Spokane?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 3% higher in Spokane, WA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$870

$884

+2% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$870

$903

+4% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,192

+8% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,442

+8% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$326,200

+78% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$65,745

+3% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$54,660

+5% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.2 yr

+2.6 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

60.4%

58.3%

+2.1 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

32.6%

+3.6 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

21.2 min

+1.6 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

683.6

+3% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

4,931.8

+56% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+2.0°F in Des Moines, IA

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

17.8 in

+18.2 in in Des Moines, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$20.41

+30% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Spokane?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Spokane?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).