Home › IA › Des Moines, IA Cost of living in Des Moines, IA Livability score 68 · cost-of-living index 92.8 (US = 100)
How Des Moines compares Where Des Moines falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 93 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 93 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $296k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $296k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $179 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $179 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 6.9% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 6.9% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.71% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.71% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 300 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 300 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 13.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 13.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 12° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 12° Map of Des Moines Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 92.8 metro-area #69 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.6 metro-area #103 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.28 metro-area #68 of 200 Median household income $81,103 metro-area #56 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $47,030 metro-area #24 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 36.7 years metro-area #53 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 39.1% metro-area #47 of 200 Foreign-born residents 8.6% metro-area #93 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 69.5% metro-area #52 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 4.14% metro-area #30 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +14.2% metro-area #12 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $296,070 metro-area #73 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.7× metro-area #29 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +1.2% metro-area #106 of 200 Price per square foot $179 metro-area #91 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,650 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,293 metro-area #24 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 3,530 Median days on market 20 metro-area #114 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.2% state #140 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.94% state #50 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.80% Capital gains tax 3.80% state #70 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 1.71% metro-area #167 of 200 Median property tax paid $4,036 metro-area #157 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 78.1 years metro-area #62 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,400 state #32 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 5.1% metro-area #19 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 79 metro-area #88 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $11,000 state #99 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $400 state #193 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.00% of value (~$280/yr) state #140 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 9 Avg commute to work 21 min metro-area #21 of 200 Commute by driving alone 74.3% metro-area #85 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 22.2% metro-area #23 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 13.9¢/kWh state #10 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $125 state #10 of 200 Gasoline $3.10/gal state #50 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $73 state #130 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $82 state #50 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $93 state #197 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,700 state #96 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,200 state #3 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 78.6 — Relatively Low metro-area #23 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 state #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 45 metro-area #91 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 metro-area #66 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 97% state #1 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,600 metro-area #181 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 18 metro-area #79 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 1 metro-area #105 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 85°F metro-area #59 of 200 Avg winter low 12°F metro-area #187 of 200 Annual precipitation 35.0" metro-area #62 of 200 Annual snowfall 35.0" metro-area #147 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 55% metro-area #150 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 5b Frost window 05-10 → 10-10
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 300 state #28 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 1,800 state #52 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 47 metro-area #114 of 200 Parks 38 Hiking areas 8 Golf courses 15 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 1
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Des Moines Major public and private employers in the Des Moines, IA area.
Salaries by occupation in Des Moines Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $177,760 Financial Managers $136,600 Marketing Managers $135,180 Human Resources Managers $130,790 Pharmacists $130,710 Physician Assistants $130,610 Software Developers $112,210 Lawyers $107,990 Data Scientists $106,210 Civil Engineers $98,550 Construction Managers $98,120 Physical Therapists $90,790 Mechanical Engineers $83,610 General & Operations Managers $83,520 Dental Hygienists $82,570 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $78,450 Registered Nurses $77,270 Accountants & Auditors $76,630 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $75,990 Web Developers $71,830 Electricians $68,600 Elementary School Teachers $61,370 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,910 Real Estate Sales Agents $52,260 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $50,700 Carpenters $50,400 Medical Assistants $46,280 Graphic Designers $45,740
Cities in the Des Moines area Des Moines (213,164) → West Des Moines (68,744) → Ankeny (68,392) → Urbandale (45,591) → Waukee (25,045) → Johnston (23,856) → Altoona (20,017) → Clive (18,576) → Indianola (15,845) → Newton (15,692) → Grimes (15,402) → Norwalk (13,057) → Pleasant Hill (10,456) →
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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