Cost of Living in Des Moines, IA
Updated November 2026 · Polk County · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area · population 212,421
Prices in Des Moines are 9.1% below the US average (local index 90.9; the BEA index for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is 91.7), with local housing the biggest saving at 80.6; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,316 a month and the median rent is $1,090.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Des Moines's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, unchanged.
Des Moines price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.9, Housing (rents) 80.6, Goods 93.7, Utilities 84.6, Other services 92.9
It is the 4th most expensive of the 12 Iowa cities in our data. Cheaper than 89% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.6 | 93.8 | 93.4 | 92.1 | 92.8 | 91.7 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Des Moines, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $769 | $9,228 | 33% |
| Utilities | $217 | $2,604 | 9% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 11% |
| Transportation | $583 | $6,996 | 25% |
| Health care | $327 | $3,924 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $156 | $1,872 | 7% |
| Total | $2,316 | $27,792 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Des Moines, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $975 | $11,700 | 25% |
| Utilities | $345 | $4,140 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,154 | $13,848 | 30% |
| Health care | $605 | $7,260 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $308 | $3,696 | 8% |
| Total | $3,875 | $46,500 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Des Moines, IA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,216 | $14,592 | 25% |
| Utilities | $420 | $5,040 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,537 | $18,444 | 32% |
| Health care | $564 | $6,768 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $397 | $4,764 | 8% |
| Total | $4,830 | $57,960 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Des Moines
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $878 |
| 1 bedroom | $894 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,134 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,414 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,490 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,090 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $937 |
| Median home value | $194,700 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,485/mo |
| Median household income | $65,932 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very affordable | 3.0× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Iowa
17.06¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +10.2% (from 15.48¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 848 kWh a month in Iowa ≈ $120/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Iowa is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Des Moines are 9.1% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 90.9. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | 92.9 | $2,633 | $1,237 |
| Ankeny, IA | 11 mi | 94.0 | $2,502 | $1,319 |
| Ames, IA | 31 mi | 89.1 | $2,372 | $1,023 |
| Waterloo, IA | 91 mi | 86.8 | $2,049 | $923 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark, OH | 91.0 | $2,205 | $973 |
| Auburn, AL | 91.0 | $2,419 | $1,098 |
| Erie, PA | 91.1 | $2,187 | $870 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 90.8 | $2,261 | $998 |
| Toledo, OH | 90.8 | $2,144 | $901 |
| El Paso, TX | 90.7 | $2,305 | $1,073 |
Compare Des Moines with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines, IA an expensive place to live?
Des Moines has a local cost of living index of 90.9, which is 9.1% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area (91.7) and adjusts housing to Des Moines's own rents. It is 3.2 points above the Iowa average. It is the 4th most expensive of the 12 Iowa cities in our data. Cheaper than 89% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Des Moines?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,316 for a single adult, $3,875 for a couple and $4,830 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $54,600 in Des Moines.
What is the average rent in Des Moines?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,090 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $894, 2 bedrooms $1,134, 3 bedrooms $1,414. The typical renter spends 29.6% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Des Moines?
The median owner-estimated home value is $194,700, 3 times the median household income of $65,932 (very affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,485 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Des Moines?
Iowa residential electricity averaged 17.06¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 91.7) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 1921000 (Des Moines city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Iowa residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources