Median rent is 10% lower in Des Moines ($1,054/mo vs $1,174/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Moines, where the median home runs $183,700 versus $220,300. Households earn more in Temple ($64,945 vs $63,966 a year). Taken together, Temple is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.0 against 92.1 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Des Moines, IA
City B
Temple, TX
How much would you need to earn in Temple, TX to maintain your standard of living from Des Moines, IA?
Equivalent salary in Temple, TX
$74,932
You could earn $68 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
Temple
Texas
👥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 $1,054/mo compared to $1,174/mo in Temple (10% gap). Median home values are within 17% of each other: $183,700 in Des Moines and $220,300 in Temple.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Iowa tops out at 5.70% — giving Temple a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Iowa and 6.25% in Texas; Des Moines has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Des Moines
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Temple
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Des Moines (avg AQI 29.0) but not yet for Temple.
Pick Temple if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Des Moines cheaper than Temple?
Temple 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 Temple.
How much is rent in Des Moines vs Temple?
Median rent is $1,054/mo in Des Moines, IA and $1,174/mo in Temple, TX. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Des Moines or Temple?
Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $64,945 in Temple, TX. Temple, TX 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Des Moines or Temple?
Texas has no state income tax. Iowa has a top rate of 5.70%.
What salary do I need in Temple 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 $99,909 in Temple, TX (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