Bellevue vs Des Moines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Des Moines
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 77.5%, with Des Moines being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $42,247 in Des Moines.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $42,247 in Des Moines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $133,146 in Bellevue.
Living in Bellevue vs Des Moines
Housing Costs
Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $210,000. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $70,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $1,425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $456/month in Des Moines. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $372 in Des Moines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 97 in Des Moines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $62,874 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases