Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 53% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 40% higher in Washington, DC. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$870
$1,763
+103% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$870
$1,885
+117% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,949
+77% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$2,249
+69% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$724,600
+294% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$106,287
+66% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$71,060
+37% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
34.9 yr
+0.3 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
60.4%
41.1%
+19.3 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
63.6%
+34.6 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
19.6 min
30.3 min
+10.7 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
936.3
+32% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
3,156.6
3,627.9
+15% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+7.3°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
39.7 in
+3.7 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.86/gal
+2% in Des Moines, IA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
25.4
+80% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$22.01
+40% in Washington, DC

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 Washington, DC
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 / DC)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
10.75%
+7.0 pp in DC

Des Moines vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Washington?
Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 53% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Washington?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).