Median rent is 13% lower in Des Moines ($1,090/mo vs $1,256/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Moines, where the median home runs $194,700 versus $283,200. Households earn more in Des Moines ($65,932 vs $64,523 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.3 against 92.8 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
Des Moines, IA
How much would you need to earn in Des Moines, IA to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$75,326
You'd need $326 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Des Moines
Iowa
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Des Moines at $1,090/mo compared to $1,256/mo in Chattanooga (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chattanooga: the median home is $283,200 versus $194,700 in Des Moines — 31% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chattanooga
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Des Moines
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Des Moines has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Des Moines if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,090/mo median).
Pick Des Moines if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Is Chattanooga cheaper than Des Moines?
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.3 versus 92.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chattanooga.
How much is rent in Chattanooga vs Des Moines?
Median rent is $1,256/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,090/mo in Des Moines, IA. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Chattanooga or Des Moines?
Median household income is $64,523 in Chattanooga, TN and $65,932 in Des Moines, IA. Des Moines, IA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Des Moines, IA has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chattanooga or Des Moines?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Des Moines to match my Chattanooga income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,435 in Des Moines, IA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
