CostByCity

Chicago, IL vs Des Moines, IA

Cost of Living Comparison

Des Moines, IA is more affordable by 11.9 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryChicago, ILDes Moines, IADifference
Overall103.691.7+11.9
Housing112.084.7+27.3
Goods107.393.7+13.5
Utilities83.684.6-1.0
Other Services100.592.9+7.6

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricChicago, ILDes Moines, IA
Median Household Income$85,087$81,103
Median Home Value$288,400$235,800
Median Monthly Rent$1,310$1,063
Per Capita Income$45,977$42,742

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago, IL or Des Moines, IA cheaper to live in?
Des Moines, IA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 11.9 index points (Chicago, IL: 103.6, Des Moines, IA: 91.7).
Where is housing cheaper, Chicago, IL or Des Moines, IA?
Housing is more affordable in Des Moines, IA. Housing index: Chicago, IL (112.0) vs Des Moines, IA (84.7).