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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, few states match Iowa's value. And broadly, 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Des Moines at index 88, where median rent of $1,141/month saves renters $9,048/year versus the national median.
210,381 residents · Iowa
Des Moines earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. That tracks. The 88 cost index sits 24 points below the national baseline, and the $63,966 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $204,843 — $262,527 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 69, while Healthcare trails at 90.
135,958 residents · Iowa
Dive into Cedar Rapids's numbers: cost index 88 (24 points below national average), rent $1,158/month, income $67,859, and a home price of $204,214. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 70, while Healthcare runs 90. With 135,958 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
#1 Ranked: Des Moines — cost index 88, rent $1,141/mo, income $63,966
2 of 2 cities keep rent under 30% of $60K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Median Rent | Rent % of Gross | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $1,141 | 23% | 88 | Details |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $1,158 | 23% | 88 | Details |
Dollar for dollar, few states match Iowa's value. And broadly, 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Des Moines at index 88, where median rent of $1,141/month saves renters $9,048/year versus the national median.
What does daily life actually cost in Des Moines? Start with the 21% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Housing (index 69) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 90) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $63,966 — this is the part where it gets real — and homes at $204,843 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
And there's one more thing: State context matters: Iowa's 2 cities average a 88 cost index with $1,150/month median rent and $65,913 household income. Midwest stability with bargain-level costs. Look at what happens when you add healthcare costs.
Bottom line: Des Moines leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Des Moines | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $43,737 |
2Cedar Rapids | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $43,737 |
We calculate what percentage of a $60K gross salary goes to median rent. Cities where rent consumes less of your paycheck rank higher. We also factor in estimated take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax. All data is sourced from federal agencies and verified research institutions. Cost of living indices are normalized to 100 (national median) using Zillow rent as the primary signal, with sub-category adjustments derived from regional BLS price data. Rankings are updated monthly as new data is released.
Des Moines ranks #1 in Iowa for this analysis with a cost index of 88 and median income of $63,966.
Yes. On a $60K salary in Des Moines, rent would consume about 23% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Des Moines (ranked #1) has a cost index of 88 and rent of $1,141/mo, while Cedar Rapids (ranked #2) has a cost index of 88 and rent of $1,158/mo — a 0-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines is $1,141/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $754 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 5.7% state income tax, estimated take-home on $60K in Des Moines is approximately $43,737/year ($3,645/month). After median rent of $1,141/month, you'd have roughly $30,045/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Des Moines is $204,843, which is 3.2× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Iowa has a 5.7% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.94%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.