salaryDes Moines is 24% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Fort Lauderdale to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,266
$2,109
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,254
$2,075
💵 Families earn per year
$71,108
$89,656
🔑 Buying a house
$194,700
$486,700
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
91.7
114.2
🏛️ Property tax per year
$3,496
$4,516
⚡ Electric bill per month
$141
$147
👥 People living there
212,421
185,604
Commute to work
19.5 min
26.1 min
College degree
29.7%
40.8%
Own their home
60.5%
54.1%
Below poverty line
15%
15%
Unemployment
5.6%
5.3%
Bottom line
- Pick Des Moines for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 1 more.
- Pick Fort Lauderdale for higher incomes, a more educated workforce, lower unemployment.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Des Moines | Fort Lauderdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $20,410 | $36,070 | +77% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Firefighter | $56,910 | $75,710 | +33% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Plumber | $75,040 | $57,760 | -23% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Lawyer | $134,560 | $160,320 | +19% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | $39,560 | -19% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,370 | $38,580 | -17% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $91,380 | +16% in Fort Lauderdale |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $51,570 | -16% in Fort Lauderdale |
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is about 24% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,266 a month there versus $2,109 in Fort Lauderdale.
What salary do I need in Fort Lauderdale to match $60,000 in Des Moines?
About $74,692 a year gives the same standard of living in Fort Lauderdale.
Where do people earn more, Des Moines or Fort Lauderdale?
The typical household earns $71,108 in Des Moines and $89,656 in Fort Lauderdale, 21% more in Fort Lauderdale.
More comparisons
All Des Moines comparisons → · All Fort Lauderdale comparisons →
Des Moines vs Moreno ValleyDes Moines vs FayettevilleDes Moines vs FontanaDes Moines vs McKinneyDes Moines vs YonkersDes Moines vs Cape CoralFort Lauderdale vs ChattanoogaFort Lauderdale vs ParadiseFort Lauderdale vs Newport NewsFort Lauderdale vs TempeFort Lauderdale vs BrownsvilleFort Lauderdale vs Akron