Des Moines vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Des Moines has equivalent purchasing power to $74,157 in Racine.
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 $74,157 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $75,852 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Racine
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $126,000. The $84,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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