salaryDes Moines is the largest city in Iowa that we track, with 212,421 residents. Rent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $50,640 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 61 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Des Moines with other big cities
Compare Des Moines to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Des Moines?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Des Moines
| Size | Des Moines | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $971 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $989 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,254 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,564 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,648 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Des Moines overall?
Everyday prices in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Des Moines
Life in Des Moines
What jobs pay in Des Moines
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | 10.8% |
| Lawyer | $134,560 | 11.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | 11.5% |
| Software Developer | $126,460 | 12.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,070 | 14.9% |
| Operations Manager | $98,780 | 15.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | 15.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | 16.2% |
| Police Officer | $81,810 | 18.6% |
| Accountant | $79,290 | 19.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | 19.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $76,580 | 19.8% |
| Plumber | $75,040 | 20.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,670 | 23.9% |
| Electrician | $62,840 | 24.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,640 | 24.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,650 | 24.6% |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | 24.8% |
| Truck Driver | $60,720 | 25.0% |
| Firefighter | $56,910 | 26.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | 31.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | 32.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,370 | 32.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | 34.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,070 | 42.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,430 | 45.4% |
| Cashier | $29,640 | 51.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $20,410 | 74.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Des Moines?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $85 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $194,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,470 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?
Renting in Des Moines costs a median of about $1,266 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Des Moines?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $50,640 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines cheap or expensive?
Des Moines is rated OK: rent takes 21.4% of the typical household income of $71,108. It ranks 61st cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Des Moines?
The median homeowner in Des Moines pays $3,496 a year in property taxes, about 1.80% of the median home value.
Is Des Moines more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Des Moines?
The median home value in Des Moines is $194,700, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
212,421 people live in Des Moines. Numbers are typical (middle) values.