Des Moines vs Roseville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Roseville
The Verdict
Des Moines is 36.0% less expensive than Roseville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $117,135 in Roseville 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 $117,135 in Roseville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roseville equals $48,022 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Roseville
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Roseville's 179, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $625,000. The $415,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $2,000/mo in Roseville, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 105 in Roseville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $499/month in Roseville. 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 163 in Roseville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $652 in Roseville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 106 in Roseville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $142,800 in Roseville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $102,734 respectively. Roseville 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 $3,332/month in Roseville. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Roseville, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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