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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Iowa is a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Des Moines leads at an index of 67 with rent at just $1,141/month — 40% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
#1 Ranked: Des Moines — cost index 67, rent $1,141/mo, income $63,966
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Des Moines | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $46,301 |
2Cedar Rapids | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $46,301 |
Iowa is a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Des Moines leads at an index of 67 with rent at just $1,141/month — 40% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
Dive into Des Moines's numbers: cost index 67 — worth pausing on — (44 points below national average), rent $1,141/month, income $63,966, and a home price of $204,843. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 67, while Healthcare runs 93. With 210,381 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
Put differently: Here's the state-level backdrop: Iowa averages a 68 cost index, $1,150/mo rent, and $65,913 income across 2 cities. That's $745 less than the national rent average. Midwest stability with bargain-level costs — and that context shapes every city in this ranking.
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.
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 67 | $1,141 | Details |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 68 | $1,158 | Details |
210,381 residents · Iowa
The #1 spot goes to Des Moines, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,141/month — saving renters $9,048 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 67, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 93. At a 21% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
135,958 residents · Iowa
What does daily life actually cost in Cedar Rapids? Start with the 20% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. That's more or less in line with the region. On the category level, Housing (index 68) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 94) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $67,859 and homes at $204,214 round out a profile that ranks #2 for clear reasons.
Des Moines ranks #1 in Iowa for this analysis with a cost index of 67 and median income of $63,966.
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 67 and rent of $1,141/mo, while Cedar Rapids (ranked #2) has a cost index of 68 and rent of $1,158/mo — a 1-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.
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.