Median rent is 24% lower in Des Moines ($1,090/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Moines, where the median home runs $194,700 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $65,932 a year). Taken together, Des Moines is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.8 against 102.5 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Des Moines is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.8 in Des Moines vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Des Moines, IA
How much would you need to earn in Des Moines, IA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$67,877
You could earn $7,123 less (9% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Des Moines — median rent of $1,090/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $194,700 in Des Moines — 42% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Des Moines
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
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 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Des Moines if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.8 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
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).
Des Moines is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.8 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Des Moines.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,090/mo in Des Moines, IA. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 24%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $65,932 in Des Moines, IA. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Des Moines, IA has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $90,502 in Des Moines, IA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
