Des Moines vs Hollywood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Hollywood
The Verdict
Des Moines is 19.8% less expensive than Hollywood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $93,539 in Hollywood to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $93,539 in Hollywood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $60,135 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Hollywood
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $424,000. The $214,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,908 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $494/month in Hollywood. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 96 in Hollywood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $54,324 respectively. Des Moines residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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