Des Moines, United States

Cost of Living in Des Moines, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Des Moines costs approximately $2,101 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,235. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 285 sunny days a year.

LGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,101≈ $70/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,235
Internet303 Mbps
Safety52/100
Avg Temp60°F

Des Moines Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$20
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$100
McDonald's Combo Meal$12
Cappuccino$6.71
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$5
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.30

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$0.92
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.68
Eggs (12)$3.84
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$6.75
Apples (1 lb)$2.02
Bananas (1 lb)$0.72
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.94
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.16
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.05
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$14.50
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$8.78

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.75
Monthly Transit Pass$58
Taxi Start$2
Taxi (1 Mile)$2
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.79
VW Golf (New)$35,247

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$144.76
Mobile Phone Plan$45
Broadband Internet$80.83

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$71.67
Cinema Ticket$15
Preschool (Monthly)$1,369.17
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$11,812

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$58.50
Nike Running Shoes$78.40

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,234.83
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$918.17
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,744
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,500
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$215.51
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$215.51

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,532.21
Mortgage Interest Rate6.29%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$4,360.70
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,182.60

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Des Moines

Internet303 Mbps
Safety52/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit22/100
Walkability38/100
Nightlife42/100
Food Scene62/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture32/100
Air Quality82/100
Green Spaces72/100
Culture55/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking25/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces28

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.

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 285 sunny days and 108 rainy days per year.

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