Can I Afford to Live in Bellevue vs Des Moines on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Bellevue, WA
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $2,700/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult
Des Moines, IA
$4,677/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Bellevue
WA
Des Moines
IA
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,057$4,677
1BR rent$2,700$1,200
Groceries (est.)$426$365
Transport (est.)$100$50
Utilities$120$155
Internet$68$60
Left after essentials$1,643/month$2,847/month
Bellevue (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Des Moines (IA rate: 5.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Bellevue?

At $80K/year in Bellevue, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $2,700/month, rent takes up 53% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $80K a good salary in Des Moines?

At $80K/year in Des Moines, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,677. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Des Moines leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,847/month vs $1,643/month in Bellevue.

Can I afford to live alone in Bellevue on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Bellevue would take 53% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Bellevue vs Des Moines

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only