Median rent is 44% lower in Des Moines ($1,090/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Moines, where the median home runs $194,700 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $65,932 a year). Taken together, Des Moines is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.8 against 114.7 — about 19% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Des Moines is 19% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.8 in Des Moines vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Des Moines, IA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Des Moines, IA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$92,787
You'd need $17,787 more (24% higher).
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
Des Moines
Iowa
Los Angeles
California
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 $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 44% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $194,700 in Des Moines — 79% more expensive.
Metric
Des Moines
Los Angeles
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.
Des Moines
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
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 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/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 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 19% lower in Des Moines.
Median rent is $1,090/mo in Des Moines, IA and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 44%.
Median household income is $65,932 in Des Moines, IA and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA 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 Des Moines, IA is equivalent to roughly $123,716 in Los Angeles, CA (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
