Cost of Living: Santa Fe vs Des Moines (2026)
Des Moines has a 14% lower overall cost of living than Santa Fe as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,200/mo in Des Moines vs $1,550/mo in Santa Fe — a 29% difference.
- Des Moines is 14% cheaper overall (COL index: 99 vs 87)
- 1BR rent: $1,200/mo in Des Moines vs $1,550/mo — 23% savings
- Higher median household income: Des Moines ($62,000/yr vs $58,000/yr)
- Median home price: $255,000 in Des Moines vs $480,000 — 47% difference
| Category | Santa Fe New Mexico | Des Moines Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200 | $950Best |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,550 | $1,200Best |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,050 | $1,600Best |
| Median home price | $480K | $255KBest |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 96Best |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13 | $12Best |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58 | $50Best |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Best | $50 |
| Gas price/gal | $3.15 | $3.00Best |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Best | $142 |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158 | $155Best |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $60Best |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $62KBest |
| State income tax% | 4.9%Best | 5.7% |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.7% | 6.9%Best |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Best |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $35Best |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | $5.50Best |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 87Best |
| Walk score / 100 | 42Best | 36 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Fe cheaper than Des Moines?
No. Des Moines is 14% cheaper than Santa Fe based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 99, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Santa Fe vs Des Moines?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Santa Fe is $1,550/month and in Des Moines is $1,200/month. Santa Fe is more expensive by 29%.
How much do I need to earn in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Santa Fe?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $65,909/year in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Santa Fe. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Santa Fe or Des Moines?
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 Santa Fe 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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