Median rent is 2% lower in Des Moines ($1,054/mo vs $1,073/mo). Buying is cheaper in Kansas City, where the median home runs $147,100 versus $183,700. Households earn more in Des Moines ($63,966 vs $59,183 a year). Taken together, Kansas City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.0 against 92.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Des Moines, IA.
City A
Des Moines, IA
City B
Kansas City, KS
How much would you need to earn in Kansas City, KS to maintain your standard of living from Des Moines, IA?
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, KS
$74,936
You could earn $64 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Des Moines
Iowa
Kansas City
Kansas
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,054/mo in Des Moines and $1,073/mo in Kansas City. Median home values are within 20% of each other: $183,700 in Des Moines and $147,100 in Kansas City.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 5.70% in Kansas, so Kansas City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Iowa and 6.50% in Kansas; Des Moines has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Des Moines
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Kansas City
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Kansas City has cleaner air on average: 17.0 AQI (Good) compared to 29.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Des Moines if you prioritize higher median household income ($63,966/yr).
Pick Kansas City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 17.0).
Is Des Moines cheaper than Kansas City?
Kansas City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.0 versus 92.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Kansas City.
How much is rent in Des Moines vs Kansas City?
Median rent is $1,054/mo in Des Moines, IA and $1,073/mo in Kansas City, KS. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Des Moines or Kansas City?
Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $59,183 in Kansas City, KS. 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?
Kansas City, KS has better air quality on average: 17.0 AQI versus 29.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Des Moines or Kansas City?
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% and Kansas's is 5.70%. Kansas City, KS has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Kansas City to match my Des Moines income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Des Moines, IA is equivalent to roughly $99,914 in Kansas City, KS (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology