Des Moines vs Grand Rapids: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Des Moines, Iowa compare to Grand Rapids, Michigan? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Des Moines is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 16% lower in Des Moines compared to Grand Rapids, while rent is 13% lower. State income tax is 5.7% in IA vs 4.25% in MI.
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Grand Rapids, MI | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $170,700 | $203,900 | -16.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 | $1,138 | -12.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $61,634 | +1.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $34,347 | $32,371 | +6.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | +34.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.9% | 6.0% | +15.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 213,164 | 198,096 | +7.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Des Moines
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Grand Rapids
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Des Moines costs $170,700 compared to $203,900 in Grand Rapids — a 16% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $995/mo in Des Moines vs $1,138/mo in Grand Rapids.
- Income: Median household income is $62,378 in Des Moines and $61,634 in Grand Rapids.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.7% in Iowa vs 4.25% in Michigan.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).