Cost of living, Des Moines
91.7
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Des Moines sits about 8.3% below national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- −8.3%
- Metro
- Des Moines
- CBSA
- 19780
Des Moines all-items RPP is 91.7 (2024), about 8.3% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $82,530 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Des Moines
| Component | Des Moines | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.7 | 100 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 84.7 | 100 |
| Other services | 92.9 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Des Moines
| At US average | In Des Moines |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $55,020 |
| $90,000 | $82,530 |
| $150,000 | $137,550 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (91.7 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Des Moines?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 91.7, versus a US average of 100 (−8.3%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $82,530 in Des Moines for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Physicians, All Other , 460 OEWS emp. $309,880
- Chief Executives , 1,230 OEWS emp. $290,870
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 2,050 OEWS emp. $164,840
- Financial Managers , 3,800 OEWS emp. $154,140
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 360 OEWS emp. $148,330
- Pharmacists , 850 OEWS emp. $141,110
See methodology and disclaimer.