Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Worcester?

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Worcester?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Des Moines vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Des Moines, IA is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 5% higher in Worcester, MA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,087

+25% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$870

$1,028

+18% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$1,476

+34% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,675

+26% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$339,500

+85% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$67,544

+6% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$57,830

+12% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

34.1 yr

+0.5 yr in Des Moines, IA

Homeownership

60.4%

42.4%

+18.0 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

34.1%

+5.1 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

25.1 min

+5.5 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

640.2

+9% in Des Moines, IA

Property Crime

3,156.6

1,580.3

+50% 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

47.9°F

+3.0°F in Des Moines, IA

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

48.1 in

+12.0 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

29.6

+86% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$30.66

+38% in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / MA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

9.00%

+5.2 pp in MA

Des Moines vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Worcester?: Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Worcester?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).