Milwaukee vs Des Moines

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Iowa salaries

Living in Milwaukee vs Des Moines

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Milwaukee has a housing index of 80 while Des Moines sits at 74 (national average = 100). The median home in Milwaukee costs $175,000 compared to $210,000 in Des Moines, a difference of $35,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Milwaukee versus $1,100 in Des Moines.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Milwaukee scores 100 while Des Moines scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Milwaukee (102) are higher than Des Moines (97). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Milwaukee is $44,044 compared to $55,958 in Des Moines. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Des Moines.

Relocating: Milwaukee vs Des Moines

If you are considering a move between Milwaukee (index: 92) and Des Moines (index: 89), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Des Moines is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Milwaukee can afford $1,028/month, while the median household in Des Moines can afford $1,306/month. With median homes at $175,000 in Milwaukee versus $210,000 in Des Moines, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $1,100/month in Des Moines, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Des Moines where costs are 11% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Milwaukee (92) vs Des Moines (89)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Milwaukee at 92 is 8% below the US average, while Des Moines at 89 is 11% below average. Both cities are relatively affordable compared to the national average.

The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.

For renters: With median rents of $1,100/month in Milwaukee and $1,100/month in Des Moines, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $35,000 difference in median home prices between Milwaukee and Des Moines translates to roughly $2,100 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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