Des Moines vs Lakewood

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 $112,079 in Lakewood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $50,188 in Des Moines.

Living in Des Moines vs Lakewood

Housing Costs

Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $574,000. The $364,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 93 in Des Moines and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 114 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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