Des Moines vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Olympia
The Verdict
Des Moines is 20.5% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $94,382 in Olympia 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 $94,382 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $59,598 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $495,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $499/month in Olympia. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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