St. Louis, MO vs Des Moines, IA: Cost of Living
Which city costs less?
Des Moines, IA has a modeled overall cost index 3.4% higher than St. Louis, MO.
- St. Louis, MO · modeled 2BR rent
- $1,160 / month
- Des Moines, IA · modeled 2BR rent
- $1,260 / month
These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions
Adjust your income and compare the budget ↓Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Compare St. Louis, MO and Des Moines, IA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.
Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions
Estimated extra cost: $318/month in Des Moines, IA
$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $153,820 in Des Moines, IA
Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.
St. Louis, MO
Des Moines, IA
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Plan my move with the free checklistSt. Louis, MO
The Show-Me State
Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.
Des Moines, IA
The Hawkeye State
Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 214K residents.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Estimated monthly spending: St. Louis, MO vs Des Moines, IA
Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.
| Category | St. Louis, MO | Des Moines, IA | Difference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Housing | $2,093/mo | $2,325/mo | ↑ $233more | 11.1% |
Healthcare | $589/mo | $762/mo | ↑ $173more | 29.4% |
All Utilities | $599/mo | $526/mo | ↓ $73.34less | 12.2% |
Groceries | $1,062/mo | $1,017/mo | ↓ $44.71less | 4.2% |
Transportation | $1,360/mo | $1,390/mo | ↑ $30.56more | 2.2% |
Other | $1,798/mo | $1,798/mo | → $0 | 0.0% |
🏛️ Local Income Taxes
Des Moines, IA has no local income tax recorded in this dataset.
Local taxes are shown separately and are not included in the living-cost totals. Coverage is incomplete; an absent entry does not establish that no tax applies.
🏠Rent Comparison
1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo
1BR range: $960–$1,150/mo
💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.
Home Values
Homes in Des Moines are 58% more expensive than St. Louis
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026
Tax Comparison
Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary
St. Louis, MO
Des Moines, IA
Additional Tax Information
St. Louis, MO Tax Rates
Des Moines, IA Tax Rates
💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.
Environment
Before moving from St. Louis, MO to Des Moines, IA
Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.
- Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Des Moines, IA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in St. Louis, MO. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
- Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
- Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
- Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your St. Louis to Des Moines moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.
Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Des Moines, IA by cost, housing, population and region.
Frequently Asked Questions: St. Louis, MO vs Des Moines, IA
How do the cost estimates for St. Louis, MO and Des Moines, IA compare?
What does the equivalent salary mean?
What rent estimates are available for St. Louis, MO and Des Moines, IA?
How should I use this comparison before moving?
💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Missouri and Iowa on TaxTakeHome.com
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