Cost of Living in Des Moines
Summary of cost of living in Des Moines, IA, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $4,431.0, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $1,201.3, excluding rent.
- Des Moines is 23.8% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Des Moines is, on average, 59.1% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $20.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $100.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $12.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | $5.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $5.75 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $6.42 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.00 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | $2.50 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $0.90 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | $2.74 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | $1.50 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $3.84 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $4.70 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $6.75 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $9.00 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | $1.84 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.76 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.27 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $1.99 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $2.00 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.08 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.75 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | $3.00 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | $1.73 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.00 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $8.78 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $1.75 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $58.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $2.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | $2.00 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $20.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $0.88 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $35,908.50 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $24,888.67 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $147.81 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $50.00 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $82.50 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $63.75 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $20.00 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $15.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $1,369.17 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $11,812.00 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $72.25 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $55.00 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $83.00 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $163.00 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,201.29 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $871.80 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,719.00 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,420.00 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $215.51 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $215.51 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $3,688.78 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.03 | |
Prices in Des Moines, Iowa
This city had 164 entries in the past 12 months by 18 different contributors.
Last update: 10 June 2026
Last update: 10 June 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Des Moines, IA? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Iowa City, Iowa | 113.46 miles |
| Cost of Living in Omaha, Nebraska | 135.58 miles |
| Cost of Living in Oelwein, Iowa | 166.35 miles |
| Cost of Living in Davenport, Iowa | 167.76 miles |
| Cost of Living in Rock Island, Illinois | 172.54 miles |
| Cost of Living in Lincoln, Nebraska | 191.89 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kansas City, Missouri | 193.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Leawood, Kansas | 207.91 miles |
| Cost of Living in Paola, Kansas | 239.25 miles |
| Cost of Living in Minneapolis, Minnesota | 244.46 miles |
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