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Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Cost of living in Des Moines, Iowa

Polk County, IA

Part of the Des Moines Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,200/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 497,441 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,017 32%
Federal tax $620 19%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $315 10%
State tax $203 6%
Energy $195 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Des Moines

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$954
per month
1 bedroom
$1,017
per month
2 bedroom
$1,216
per month
3 bedroom
$1,632
per month
4 bedroom
$1,638
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Des Moines

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$81,621
per year
Individual earnings
$47,947
per year
Per capita
$44,008
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Des Moines

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$248,400
Annual property tax
$4,364

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Des Moines

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$134
per month · 15.8¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,340
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Des Moines

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Des Moines

State and local tax rates for Iowa.

State income tax
5.7%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.9%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Des Moines

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.9 min
Drive alone
74.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
13.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Des Moines

What it costs to live in Des Moines each month.

Single person
$3,200
per month
  • Rent $1,017
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $620
  • State tax $203
Couple
$4,685
per month
  • Rent $1,216
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,006
  • State tax $363
Family
$7,225
per month
  • Rent $1,632
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,006
  • State tax $363

Frequently asked questions about Des Moines

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, Iowa, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,017 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,216 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,632 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, Iowa, the average household income is $81,621 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,947 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Des Moines?

The estimated cost of living in Des Moines, Iowa is approximately $3,200 per month for a single person, $4,685 for a couple, $7,225 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Des Moines?

The combined sales tax rate in Des Moines, Iowa is 6.94%, which includes the Iowa state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.94%.

Is Des Moines an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Des Moines, Iowa would need approximately $3,200 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $81,621 per year ($6,802 per month). Des Moines is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Des Moines?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Des Moines, Iowa is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Des Moines?

The average home value in Des Moines, Iowa is $248,400, with average annual property taxes of $4,364, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Des Moines compare to other areas?

You can compare Des Moines, Iowa with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Des Moines is in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area.

Other counties in Iowa

Browse the full list of counties in Iowa, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Iowa

Compare Des Moines with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources