Des Moines wins overall by ~9% (COL index)
Cost of living: Houston vs Des Moines (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Houston buys roughly what $54,947 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
+$718/yr
Favoring Houston for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $60/mo in Houston, 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 | Houston Texas | Des Moines Iowa | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050 | $950Better | Des wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Des |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,200Better | Des wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Des |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,600Better | Des wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Des |
| Median home price | $280K | $255KBetter | Des wins −$25K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Houston wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90 | $50Wins | Des wins −$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Des |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $3.00Better | Des wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $190 | $142Wins | Des wins −$48/mo | $576/yr saves in Des |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $155Better | Des wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Des |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $60Better | Des wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56K | $62KBetter | Des wins +$6K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 5.7% | Houston wins +5.7 pp | $3,420/yr saves in Houston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 6.9%Wins | Des wins -1.4 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Des wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Des wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 87Better | Des wins -8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 49Wins | 36 | Houston wins -13 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,420/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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
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 Houston cheaper than Des Moines?
No. Des Moines is 9% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Houston vs Des Moines?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,350/month and in Des Moines is $1,200/month. Houston is more expensive by 13%.
How much do I need to earn in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Houston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,684/year in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Houston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Houston or Des Moines?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 5.7%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Houston to Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Des Moines offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, 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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