Cost of living in Des Moines
compared to
Cost of living in Des Moines vs. United States overall average
Des Moines is 11.8% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.2% more in Des Moines
- Groceries
-
pay 19.1% less in Des Moines
- Transportation
-
pay 19.5% less in Des Moines
- Housing
-
pay 26.6% less in Des Moines
- Childcare
-
pay 25.2% less in Des Moines
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 2.7% more in Des Moines
- Clothing
-
pay 4.0% more in Des Moines
The cost of clothing, entertainment and sports, and restaurants in Des Moines are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing, childcare, transportation, and groceries are lower in Des Moines.
Des Moines Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $17.00 |
$15.00
-
$45.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.00 |
$9.00
-
$13.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.61 |
$2.00
-
$3.50
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.15 |
$1.50
-
$5.00
|
Des Moines - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.03 |
$1.50
-
$6.61
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $6.36 |
$4.40
-
$13.23
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.56 |
$2.69
-
$5.99
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.61 |
$2.00
-
$8.99
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $3.67 |
$2.49
-
$8.99
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $1.77 |
$0.70
-
$4.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.65 |
$0.39
-
$1.49
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.66 |
$1.00
-
$5.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $1.59 |
$0.80
-
$3.40
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $0.75 |
$0.50
-
$2.79
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.36 |
$0.99
-
$3.00
|
Des Moines - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $2.93 |
$2.67
-
$3.40
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $58.00 |
$58.00
-
$58.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $26,000.00 |
$26,000.00
-
$36,570.00
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $11.94 |
$11.94
-
$29.85
|
Des Moines - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$57.86 |
$50.00
-
$100.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $1,214.00 |
$925.00
-
$1,600.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $912.50 |
$850.00
-
$1,100.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$108.83 |
$97.50
-
$310.96
|
Des Moines - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,369.17 |
$1,066.00
-
$2,046.25
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $11,812.00 |
$11,812.00
-
$28,840.00
|
Des Moines - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $5.00 |
$3.00
-
$8.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.47 |
$2.50
-
$10.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$7.14 |
$6.60
-
$12.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $71.67 |
$40.00
-
$100.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.00 |
$10.00
-
$16.00
|
Des Moines - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$56.67 |
$30.00
-
$100.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$41.00 |
$18.00
-
$85.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$73.00 |
$50.00
-
$150.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $138.33 |
$60.00
-
$250.00
|
Des Moines - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Iowa
to see the average cost of cities throughout Iowa, like
Muscatine,
Davenport,
Ottumwa,
Cedar Rapids,
Iowa Falls,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Des Moines.
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