Cost of Living Comparison
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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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Des MoinesvsPhoenix

Moving from Des Moines to Phoenix will cost approximately $113,982 more on median home prices (42.5% higher). Monthly rent is $475 more expensive in Phoenix. Note that median income is 19.9% lower in Phoenix.

Housing
42.5% more
Rent
42.5% more
View Des MoinesView Phoenix
Phoenix

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Des Moines, IA

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$382,216+42.5%
Monthly Rent
$1,593+42.5%
Median Income
$59,662-19.9%
Population1,563,001
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

Phoenix

2015$881
2020$1,252
2025$1,593

Annual Cost of Living

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

Des Moines

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

Phoenix

Housing$9,175
Food$5,768
Transport$13,114
Healthcare$11,621
Total$43,811
Costs

Key Insights

42.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Phoenix
$475
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
19.9%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Des Moines

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

Phoenix

Population1,563,001
Median Age33.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate426 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2115 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Des Moines

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

Phoenix

426
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2115
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Des Moines?

Des Moines is 42.5% cheaper for housing than Phoenix. The median home price in Des Moines is $268,234 compared to $382,216 in Phoenix.

What is the rent difference between Des Moines and Phoenix?

Monthly rent in Phoenix averages $1,593, while Des Moines averages $1,118. That's a difference of $475 per month, or $5,699 annually.

How do incomes compare between Des Moines and Phoenix?

The median household income in Phoenix is $59,662, which is 19.9% lower than Des Moines's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Des Moines or Phoenix?

Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Phoenix has 426 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.