Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Tampa

Florida

$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 Tampa, FL. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 10% higher in Tampa, FL. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio
$870
$1,242
+43% in Tampa, FL
1 Bedroom
$870
$1,324
+52% in Tampa, FL
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,673
+52% in Tampa, FL
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,729
+30% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$375,300
+104% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$71,302
+11% in Tampa, FL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$48,940
+6% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
35.6 yr
+1.0 yr in Tampa, FL
Homeownership
60.4%
50.2%
+10.2 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
44.6%
+15.6 pp in Tampa, FL
Avg Commute
19.6 min
24.7 min
+5.1 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
443.2
+37% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
1,473.2
+53% 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
73.4°F
+22.5°F in Tampa, FL
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
46.3 in
+10.3 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.77/gal
+4% in Des Moines, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
15.2
+7% in Tampa, FL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$23.62
+50% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Des Moines, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Tampa, FL
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Des Moines, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Des Moines, IA
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Des Moines, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / FL)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
None
+3.8 pp in IA

Des Moines vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Tampa?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Tampa?
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 Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Tampa?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).