Columbus vs Des Moines

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Columbus has the same purchasing power as $85,577 in Des Moines.

Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $65,730 in Columbus.

Living in Columbus vs Des Moines

Housing Costs

Columbus's housing index of 57 is lower Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $222,000 vs $210,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Columbus compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Columbus and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Columbus vs $456/month in Des Moines. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Columbus and 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Columbus vs $372 in Des Moines. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 85 in Columbus and 97 in Des Moines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,100 in Columbus and $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,487 and $62,874 respectively. Columbus residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,356/month to housing in Columbus vs $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/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 Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases