Tampa vs Des Moines

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Iowa salaries

Living in Tampa vs Des Moines

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Tampa has a housing index of 108 while Des Moines sits at 74 (national average = 100). The median home in Tampa costs $340,000 compared to $210,000 in Des Moines, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Tampa versus $1,100 in Des Moines.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Tampa scores 103 while Des Moines scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Tampa (97) match Des Moines (97). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Tampa is $52,594 compared to $55,958 in Des Moines. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Des Moines.

Relocating: Tampa vs Des Moines

If you are considering a move between Tampa (index: 102) and Des Moines (index: 89), the 13% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Des Moines is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Tampa can afford $1,227/month, while the median household in Des Moines can afford $1,306/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Tampa versus $210,000 in Des Moines, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Tampa and $1,100/month in Des Moines, renters save significantly in Des Moines. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Des Moines where costs are 11% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Tampa (102) vs Des Moines (89)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Tampa at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Des Moines at 89 is 11% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

A 13-point index spread separates Tampa from Des Moines, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Tampa scores 108 and Des Moines scores 74. That 34-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Des Moines with indices of 74 versus 108. Median home prices of $340,000 in Tampa and $210,000 in Des Moines underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Tampa and $1,100/month in Des Moines, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $36,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $130,000 difference in median home prices between Tampa and Des Moines translates to roughly $7,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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