Des Moines vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Surprise
The Verdict
Des Moines is 13.6% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $86,798 in Surprise 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 $86,798 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $64,806 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $419,000. The $209,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,584 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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