Aurora vs Des Moines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
Des Moines
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 39.3%, with Des Moines being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Aurora has equivalent purchasing power to $53,831 in Des Moines.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $53,831 in Des Moines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $104,494 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs Des Moines
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $210,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora vs $456/month in Des Moines. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Aurora and 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $372 in Des Moines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 97 in Des Moines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 and $62,874 respectively. Aurora residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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