Des Moines vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Tyler
The Verdict
Living in Tyler costs 4.7% less than Des Moines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $71,629 in Tyler.
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 $71,629 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $78,529 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $250,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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