Des Moines vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Rochester
The Verdict
Living in Des Moines costs 5.3% less than Rochester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $79,213 in Rochester.
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 $79,213 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $71,011 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $345,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $489/month in Rochester. Des Moines offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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