Arlington vs Des Moines

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $40,701 in Des Moines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $138,202 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Des Moines

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $210,000. The $530,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,452 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $1,250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Des Moines. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $372 in Des Moines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 97 in Des Moines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $62,874 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 175 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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