Des Moines wins overall by ~17% (COL index)
Cost of living: Durham vs Des Moines (2026)
A $67,000 salary in Durham buys roughly what $57,147 does in Des Moines (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$7,303/yr
Favoring Des Moines for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $609/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~25 months and still keep ~$73/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 | Durham North Carolina | Des Moines Iowa | Who wins | Your impact at $67K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400 | $950Wins | Des wins −$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Des |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,750 | $1,200Wins | Des wins −$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Des |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,300 | $1,600Wins | Des wins −$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Des |
| Median home price | $390K | $255KWins | Des wins −$135K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 96Better | Des wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $12Wins | Des wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $50Wins | Des wins −$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82 | $50Wins | Des wins −$32/mo | $384/yr saves in Des |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $3.00Better | Des wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148 | $142Better | Des wins −$6/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $155 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $62 | $60Better | Des wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $62K | Durham wins −$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Wins | 5.7% | Durham wins +1.2 pp | $804/yr saves in Durham |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5% | 6.9%Better | Des wins -0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Des wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $35Wins | Des wins −$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | $5.50Wins | Des wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 87Wins | Des wins -15 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36Better | 36 | — | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$804/yr tax difference into cash back
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 ~$6,600/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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Durham cheaper than Des Moines?
No. Des Moines is 17% cheaper than Durham based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 102, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Durham vs Des Moines?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Durham is $1,750/month and in Des Moines is $1,200/month. Durham is more expensive by 46%.
How much do I need to earn in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Durham?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $63,971/year in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Durham. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Durham or Des Moines?
Durham has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5.7%. The difference is 1.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Durham to Des Moines?
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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