Des Moines vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Midland
The Verdict
Des Moines is 3.3% less expensive than Midland overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $77,528 in Midland 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 $77,528 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $72,554 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Midland
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $269,000. The $59,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $456/month in Midland. 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 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 110 in Midland. 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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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