Des Moines wins overall by ~12% (COL index)
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Santa Fe (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Des Moines buys roughly what $68,276 does in Santa Fe (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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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$4,921/yr
Favoring Des Moines for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $410/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~37 months and still keep ~$49/mo for dining out.
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 | Santa Fe New Mexico | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Wins | $1,200 | Des wins +$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Des |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $1,550 | Des wins +$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in Des |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600Wins | $2,050 | Des wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Des |
| Median home price | $255KWins | $480K | Des wins +$225K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 99 | Des wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $13 | Des wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $58 | Des wins +$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50 | $40Wins | Santa Fe wins −$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.15 | Des wins +$0.15 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $142 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $158 | Des wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Des wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $58K | Des wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.7% | 4.9%Wins | Santa Fe wins -0.8 pp | $480/yr saves in Santa Fe |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.9%Better | 7.7% | Des wins +0.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Des wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $38 | Des wins +$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $6.50 | Des wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 99 | Des wins +12 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 42Wins | Santa Fe wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Des Moines fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Des Moines.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines cheaper than Santa Fe?
Yes. Des Moines is 12% cheaper than Santa Fe based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 99, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Des Moines vs Santa Fe?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines is $1,200/month and in Santa Fe is $1,550/month. Des Moines is cheaper by 23%.
How much do I need to earn in Santa Fe to match a $75,000 salary in Des Moines?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $85,345/year in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?
Santa Fe has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5.7%. The difference is 0.8 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 Santa Fe?
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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