Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Tacoma?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Tacoma?

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

Des Moines vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 24% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,178

+35% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,332

+53% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,693

+54% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$2,094

+57% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$454,600

+147% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$83,857

+31% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$72,610

+40% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

37.3 yr

+2.7 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

60.4%

56.5%

+3.9 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

33.5%

+4.5 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

29.0 min

+9.4 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

1,064.4

+50% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,156.6

5,695.2

+80% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+1.2°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

43.0 in

+7.0 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$20.41

+30% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Tacoma?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Tacoma?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).