Cost of Living in Des Moines, United States
Des Moines is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,101 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,235 per month, or $918 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Des Moines scores 52/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 87°F and winter highs around 32°F, with roughly 240 sunny days a year.
Des Moines Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Des Moines
How Des Moines Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Des Moines ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but sits in the bottom 18% for food scene. It costs more than 67% of them.
| Metric | Des Moines | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,101 | #231 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Safety | 52/100 | #230 of 340 | #29 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 92/100 | #14 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 38/100 | #272 of 340 | #57 of 80 |
| Public transit | 22/100 | #243 of 340 | #51 of 80 |
| Food scene | 62/100 | #283 of 340 | #72 of 80 |
| Air quality | 82/100 | #161 of 340 | #37 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Des Moines
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Des Moines.
- Winnipeg, Canada — $1,631/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 70/100
- Niagara Falls, Canada — $1,700/mo, 19% cheaper, safety 80/100
- St. John's, Canada — $1,680/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 84/100
- Quebec City, Canada — $1,609/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 85/100
Des Moines FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Des Moines?
A single person should budget around $2,101 per month in Des Moines, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,361 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Des Moines?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Des Moines averages $1,235 per month, dropping to about $918 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,744.
Is Des Moines safe?
Des Moines scores 52/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 62/100.
How fast is the internet in Des Moines?
Median download speeds in Des Moines are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 28 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Des Moines?
Des Moines sees summer highs around 87°F and winter highs near 32°F, with about 240 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 83 days.
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