Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Des Moines and Oklahoma City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Iowa salaries · Oklahoma salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Des Moines has a housing index of 74 while Oklahoma City sits at 68 (national average = 100). The median home in Des Moines costs $210,000 compared to $195,000 in Oklahoma City, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Des Moines versus $1,000 in Oklahoma City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Des Moines scores 96 while Oklahoma City scores 95. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines (97) are higher than Oklahoma City (92).
Median household income in Des Moines is $55,958 compared to $55,458 in Oklahoma City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links