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Des MoinesvsLos Angeles

Moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles will cost approximately $405,082 more on median home prices (151.0% higher). Monthly rent is $1,688 more expensive in Los Angeles. Median income is 11.3% higher in Los Angeles, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
151.0% more
Rent
151.0% more
View Des MoinesView Los Angeles
Los Angeles

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Des Moines, IA

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$673,316+151.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,805+151.0%
Median Income
$82,922+11.3%
Population3,971,896
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

Los Angeles

2015$1,914
2020$2,259
2025$2,805

Annual Cost of Living

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

Des Moines

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

Los Angeles

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$58,366
Costs

Key Insights

151.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Los Angeles
$1,688
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
11.3%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Des Moines

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

Los Angeles

Population3,971,896
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Des Moines

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

Los Angeles

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Des Moines?

Des Moines is 151.0% cheaper for housing than Los Angeles. The median home price in Des Moines is $268,234 compared to $673,316 in Los Angeles.

What is the rent difference between Des Moines and Los Angeles?

Monthly rent in Los Angeles averages $2,805, while Des Moines averages $1,118. That's a difference of $1,688 per month, or $20,254 annually.

How do incomes compare between Des Moines and Los Angeles?

The median household income in Los Angeles is $82,922, which is 11.3% higher than Des Moines's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Des Moines or Los Angeles?

Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Los Angeles has 481 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.