Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Warwick?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Warwick?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,050 in Des Moines, IA versus $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 27% higher in Warwick, RI. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$870

$923

+6% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,085

+25% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,629

+48% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,569

+18% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$322,000

+75% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$87,536

+37% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$53,680

+4% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

44.6 yr

+10.0 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

60.4%

73.4%

+13.0 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

33.2%

+4.2 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

19.6 min

25.0 min

+5.4 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

79.5

+89% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,149.5

+64% 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

51.6°F

+0.7°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

47.2 in

+11.2 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Warwick, RI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

29.2

+83% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$25.75

+16% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

5.99%

+2.2 pp in RI

Des Moines vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Warwick?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Warwick?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).