Median rent is 12% lower in Des Moines ($1,090/mo vs $1,237/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Moines, where the median home runs $194,700 versus $309,000. Households earn more in West Des Moines ($86,594 vs $65,932 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (92.8).
City A
Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines, IA?
Equivalent salary in West Des Moines, IA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
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 Des Moines at $1,090/mo compared to $1,237/mo in West Des Moines (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in West Des Moines: the median home is $309,000 versus $194,700 in Des Moines — 37% more expensive.
Metric
Des Moines
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.
Des Moines
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 Des Moines (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for West Des Moines.
Pick West Des Moines if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,594/yr).
Pick Des Moines if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,090/mo median).
Des Moines is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.8 versus 92.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Des Moines.
Median rent is $1,090/mo in Des Moines, IA and $1,237/mo in West Des Moines, IA. Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $65,932 in Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines, IA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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
