You can live comfortably in Des Moines for about $3,273–$3,628 per month, roughly 14.7% below the U.S. average. One-bedroom rent averages around $982, studios about $818, and typical groceries run near $686 monthly. Utilities average $308 and healthcare is about 12% cheaper than national levels. Transportation and goods are modestly below U.S. costs, and a pre-tax salary near $43,500 should cover this lifestyle — keep going to see neighborhood and budgeting specifics.
Cost of Living Overview and Monthly Budget Estimates
Although Des Moines is noticeably cheaper than many U.S. cities, you should still budget carefully: overall cost of living runs about 14.7% below the national average, and a comfortable single-adult monthly budget is roughly $3,273 ($39,276/year).
Although Des Moines is notably cheaper—about 14.7% below average—plan carefully; a single adult needs roughly $3,273 monthly.
For renters, typical monthly expenses average about $3,628, with average rent near $1,145 (apartment averages ~$982–$1,107). Your groceries cost will be close to $686/month, and utilities run roughly $308.
Expect goods and services around $998 and transportation costs about 6.5% below U.S. averages (gas ≈ $3.02–$3.15/gal). Healthcare is ~12% below national levels.
Homeownership costs raise monthly expenses markedly—owner estimates average about $7,300/month with housing (mortgage/ownership) costs around $1,635 and median home listing price near $359,280. Building a house can often be more expensive than buying an existing home, which is an important consideration when planning your budget.
Compare these figures to median household income when planning. Use this data-driven snapshot to craft a realistic monthly budget that balances housing costs, utilities groceries, transportation costs, and other monthly expenses.
Housing: Rent, Home Prices, and Neighborhoods
When budgeting for housing in Des Moines, expect rents to sit roughly $982–$1,107 on average (studios about $818, one-bedrooms ~$982, two-bedrooms ~$1,101) and run about 39–45% below the U.S. average; typical apartments are ~644 sq ft.
You’ll find the average monthly rent stays affordable, with studio rent, one-bedroom apartment and two-bedroom apartment rates concentrated near those figures. CoStar Group and local listings show rent growth at roughly 0% year-over-year, and about 2,768 rentals recently listed.
- Average monthly rent: ~$982–$1,107, ~39–45% below U.S. average
- Studio rent: ~$818; one-bedroom apartment: ~$982; two-bedroom apartment: ~$1,101
- Home listing price: typical ~$359,280 (varies by source, often $291k–$360k)
- Neighborhoods with affordable rents: Arnolds Place, Beaverdale, Campus Park–Wrights Grove
- Most expensive areas: Downtown Des Moines, Western Gateway, Civic Historic District
Additionally, consider potential operational expenses when calculating your overall budget for housing costs.
Use these figures to compare neighborhoods and gauge long-term housing affordability.
Everyday Expenses: Groceries, Utilities, and Healthcare
You can expect everyday essentials in Des Moines to be noticeably cheaper than many U.S. cities: groceries run about $686 per month for a renter (roughly 0.9% below the national average), monthly utilities average about $308 (around 18–19% below the U.S. norm, with energy near $147.60 and phone/internet commonly adding ~$188), and healthcare tends to be about 12% lower (typical doctor visits ~$117–$120, dentist visits ~$102).
You’ll find food prices reasonable—steak around $15.50, bread ~$3.95, milk ~$4.76—so groceries stay predictable in your monthly budget.
Utilities and energy bills are a clear saving compared with coastal metros, which reduces your overall cost of living and complements average rent savings.
For planning, count on renter monthly essentials (groceries + utilities + basic healthcare) around $1,111–$1,200 depending on household size and usage. That range helps you model a practical monthly budget and see how Des Moines’ lower everyday costs improve affordability. Additionally, implementing preventative measures can help ensure your electronics remain in working order and reduce unexpected repair expenses.
Transportation, Goods & Services, and Entertainment
While living in Des Moines you’ll find transportation and everyday services cost less than in many metros, freeing up money for dining out or saving: gas runs about $3.02–$3.15 per gallon, single-ride transit fares are $1.75 (or $24 monthly), and typical annual transportation expenses for a single adult track near $10,760; renters spend roughly $998/month on goods and services (about 6.5% below the U.S. average) while homeowners average about $2,505/month (≈6.2% below average), and common prices — movie tickets $11–$15, haircuts ~$24, gym memberships $49–$68, basic tire service ~$56 — give you predictable line items to plug into a monthly budget.
You’ll see transportation costs and goods & services spending below national levels: the gasoline price, public transit fares, and monthly transportation totals reduce commuting burden, while entertainment prices and personal services stay affordable. Use these line items to estimate monthly needs.
Additionally, maintaining your vehicle can help avoid costly repairs, such as exhaust leak repairs, which can range from $100 to $1,200 depending on the severity of the issue.
- Movie ticket cost: $11–$15
- Gasoline price: $3.02–$3.15/gal
- Public transit fares: $1.75 or $24/mo
- Gym membership: $49–$68/mo
- Haircut price: ~$24
What Salary You Need and Practical Budgeting Tips
Because Des Moines’ overall costs run below the national average, plan your target pre-tax salary around $43,536/year (about $3,628/month) to live comfortably as a single adult — or roughly $39,280/year ($3,273/month) if you stick to the 30% rent rule with an average one-bedroom rent near $982/month. Use that annual income estimate to build a monthly essentials budget: housing ~$1,145 (renters), utilities cost ~$308, groceries expense ~$686, plus transportation and healthcare. That gives a data-driven view of the Des Moines cost of living and the salary needed to live comfortably.
If you’re deciding homeowner vs renter, note owners face higher totals (housing ~$1,635, utilities ~$678), so buying needs a substantially larger salary. Practical budgeting tips: cap housing at 30% of pre-tax pay, track groceries to stay near local averages, set aside emergency savings equal to 3–6 months’ expenses, and review subscriptions and services to keep goods & services lean. Additionally, consider the potential long-term savings from investing in home fitness options, which can further enhance your overall financial health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Des Moines Iowa?
You’ll need about $3,600–$3,700 monthly; housing supply keeps rent lower. Expect moderate transportation costs, utility bills, food prices and groceries inflation, affordable healthcare access, childcare expenses, local taxes, climate impact, and decent entertainment options.
How Much Do You Need to Make to Live Comfortably in Des Moines, Iowa?
You’ll need roughly $39k–$44k yearly to live comfortably in Des Moines; set salary targets considering lifestyle choices, savings goals, childcare costs, commute expenses, tax impact, healthcare premiums, student loans, entertainment budget, and retirement planning.
How Much Should Monthly Rent Cost?
Aim for about $980–$1,100 monthly rent; consider studio apartments or pet friendly units, utility inclusive leases, neighborhood comparisons, short term rentals, rent control policies, security deposit norms, furnished vs unfurnished, landlord responsiveness, subletting rules.
What Is the Average Living Expenses in Iowa?
Like a measured ledger, you’ll find Iowa’s average living expenses hover near $3,000–3,300 monthly; consider rural healthcare, seasonal employment, utility variations, childcare expenses, food insecurity, transportation access, property taxes, internet availability, senior services, emergency savings.
Conclusion
You’ll find Des Moines offers a pleasantly modest cost of living compared with bigger metros, so your paycheck stretches further than you might fear. With typical rents and reasonable groceries, budget about $2,500–$3,500 monthly depending on lifestyle and housing choice. Factor utilities, transit or car costs, healthcare, and savings to avoid surprises. Plan using concrete numbers, trim discretionary spending, and you’ll navigate expenses comfortably—think of it as smart cushioning, not sacrifice.
