Cost of Living · 2026

Des Moines, IA

Metro population: 709K

Monthly take-home

$4,809

on $75K, single filer

2-BR rent (HUD FMR)

$1,318

per month

Median home value

$245,000

+5.5% year-over-year

Left after rent

$3,491

per month on $75K

Food costs (index, 100 = national avg)

91

Groceries

93

Dining out

On a $75,000 salary in Des Moines, you take home about $4,809 per month after federal and state taxes. A typical two-bedroom apartment runs $1,318 per month based on HUD fair market rents, leaving you with roughly $3,491 for everything else. If you are looking to buy, the median home in the Des Moines metro is valued at $245,000. These numbers use 2026 tax brackets and official government data sources. Use them as a starting point, not financial advice.

Compare Des Moines with other cities

Data from IRS, HUD, BLS, and Zillow. Last updated March 2026.