CostByCity

Boston, MA vs Des Moines, IA

Cost of Living Comparison

Des Moines, IA is more affordable by 16.6 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryBoston, MADes Moines, IADifference
Overall108.391.7+16.6
Housing148.484.7+63.7
Goods99.793.7+5.9
Utilities148.884.6+64.2
Other Services103.692.9+10.7

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricBoston, MADes Moines, IA
Median Household Income$107,117$81,103
Median Home Value$570,000$235,800
Median Monthly Rent$1,827$1,063
Per Capita Income$58,400$42,742

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston, MA or Des Moines, IA cheaper to live in?
Des Moines, IA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 16.6 index points (Boston, MA: 108.3, Des Moines, IA: 91.7).
Where is housing cheaper, Boston, MA or Des Moines, IA?
Housing is more affordable in Des Moines, IA. Housing index: Boston, MA (148.4) vs Des Moines, IA (84.7).