Des Moines vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Lowell
The Verdict
Des Moines is 32.1% less expensive than Lowell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $110,393 in Lowell 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 $110,393 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $50,954 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $429,000. The $219,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,232 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $494/month in Lowell. 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 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $604 in Lowell. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $60,840 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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