Toledo wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Toledo vs Des Moines (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Toledo buys roughly what $64,444 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
+$3,614/yr
Favoring Toledo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $301/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~50 months and still keep ~$36/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 | Toledo Ohio | Des Moines Iowa | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Better | $950 | Toledo wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Toledo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,200 | Toledo wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Toledo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,600 | Toledo wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Toledo |
| Median home price | $180KWins | $255K | Toledo wins +$75K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Toledo wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Toledo wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $58 | $50Wins | Des wins −$8/mo | — |
| 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 | $160 | $155Better | Des wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $60 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $46K | $62KWins | Des wins +$16K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.5%Wins | 5.7% | Toledo wins +2.2 pp | $1,320/yr saves in Toledo |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2% | 6.9%Better | Des wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $14.00 | Toledo wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.50 | Toledo wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Better | 87 | Toledo wins +6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42Wins | 36 | Toledo wins -6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,320/yr tax difference into cash back
Toledo 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 Toledo.
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
Ready to move?
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 Toledo cheaper than Des Moines?
Yes. Toledo is 7% cheaper than Des Moines based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Toledo vs Des Moines?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Toledo is $1,050/month and in Des Moines is $1,200/month. Toledo is cheaper by 13%.
How much do I need to earn in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $80,556/year in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Toledo or Des Moines?
Toledo has the lower state income tax rate at 3.5% vs 5.7%. The difference is 2.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Toledo to Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Toledo 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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Toledo ↔ Des Moines
How much would you need to earn in Des Moines to match your Toledo purchasing power?