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Last updated: Feb 2026

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Des MoinesvsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Des Moines to Boston will cost approximately $510,195 more on median home prices (190.2% higher). Monthly rent is $2,126 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 34.9% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
190.2% more
Rent
190.2% more
View Des MoinesView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Median Home Price$268,234
Monthly Rent$1,118
Median Income$74,522
Population210,317
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+190.2%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+190.2%
Median Income
$100,532+34.9%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Des Moines

2015$803
2020$931
2025$1,118

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Des Moines

Housing$7,029
Food$5,574
Transport$13,411
Healthcare$9,747
Total$38,112

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

190.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$2,126
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
34.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Des Moines

Population210,317
Median Age34.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate295 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1508 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Des Moines

295
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1508
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Des Moines?

Des Moines is 190.2% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Des Moines is $268,234 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Des Moines and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Des Moines averages $1,118. That's a difference of $2,126 per month, or $25,510 annually.

How do incomes compare between Des Moines and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 34.9% higher than Des Moines's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Des Moines or Boston?

Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Des Moines is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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