Des Moines wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Kansas City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Des Moines buys roughly what $62,759 does in Kansas City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Estimated annual swing
+$125/yr
Favoring Des Moines for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $10/mo in Des Moines, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Des Moines Iowa | Kansas City Missouri | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Better | $950 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,200 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600Better | $1,600 | — | — |
| Median home price | $255KBetter | $280K | Des wins +$25K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Better | Kansas wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $70 | Des wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Des |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $145 | Des wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $165 | Des wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $58K | Des wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.7% | 5.4%Better | Kansas wins -0.3 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.9%Wins | 8.6% | Des wins +1.7 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50 | $5.00Better | Kansas wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 91 | Des wins +4 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 38Better | Kansas wins +2 more/yr | — |
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Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Des Moines.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines cheaper than Kansas City?
Yes. Des Moines is 4% cheaper than Kansas City based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Des Moines vs Kansas City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines is $1,200/month and in Kansas City is $1,200/month. Des Moines is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Kansas City to match a $75,000 salary in Des Moines?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $78,448/year in Kansas City to match a $75,000 salary in Des Moines. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Des Moines or Kansas City?
Kansas City has the lower state income tax rate at 5.4% vs 5.7%. The difference is 0.3 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Des Moines to Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Des Moines offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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