Median rent is 14% lower in West Des Moines ($1,237/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Des Moines, where the median home runs $309,000 versus $334,100. Households earn more in West Des Moines ($86,594 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, West 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 West Des Moines, IA.
Cost of living verdict
West Des Moines is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.8 in West Des Moines vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
West Des Moines, IA
How much would you need to earn in West Des Moines, IA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in West 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
West 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
Median rent is modestly lower in West Des Moines at $1,237/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (14% gap). Median home values are within 8% of each other: $334,100 in Chicago and $309,000 in West Des Moines.
Metric
Chicago
West 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
West Des Moines
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for West Des Moines.
Pick West Des Moines if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.8 vs 102.5).
Pick West Des Moines if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,594/yr).
Pick West Des Moines if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,237/mo median).
West 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 West Des Moines.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,237/mo in West Des Moines, IA. West Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $86,594 in West Des Moines, IA. West Des Moines, IA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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 West 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
