Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Des Moines, IA and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Des Moines, IA: $2,171 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $11,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

105

Cost of Living Index in Des Moines, IA
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Des Moines, IA Living Index
152

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Des Moines, IA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,171

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,139

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Des Moines, IA and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Des Moines, IA and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,171 per month in Des Moines, IA vs $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Des Moines, IA $2,171
Chicago, IL $3,139

A couple spends around $3,236 per month in Des Moines, IA vs $4,627 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Des Moines, IA $3,236
Chicago, IL $4,627

A family of three spends $4,301 per month in Des Moines, IA vs $6,115 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Des Moines, IA $4,301
Chicago, IL $6,115

Des Moines, IA is about 31% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Des Moines, IA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Des Moines, IA by 60%, Chicago, IL by 132%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.69 $19.69

$20.65 $20.65

-4.65%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.8 $80.8

$90.2 $90.2

-10.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.22 $12.22

$12.94 $12.94

-5.56%

Cappuccino

$6.16 $6.16

$5.60 $5.60

10.00%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.64 $2.64

10.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.27 $2.27

12.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.99 $4.99

$6.98 $6.98

-28.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.89 $5.89

$8.83 $8.83

-33.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$1.27 $1.27

-28.35%

White Bread (500g)

$3.03 $3.03

$3.80 $3.80

-20.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.38 $3.38

$5.30 $5.30

-36.23%

Eggs

$4.00 $4.00

$4.76 $4.76

-15.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.69 $9.69

$13.96 $13.96

-30.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.91 $9.91

$14.61 $14.61

-32.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.68 $13.68

$18.77 $18.77

-27.12%

Apples (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$5.19 $5.19

-16.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.98 $1.98

-23.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.54 $4.54

$3.93 $3.93

15.52%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$4.96 $4.96

-25.81%

Potato (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.76 $2.76

11.23%

Onion (1kg)

$2.14 $2.14

$2.76 $2.76

-22.46%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.22 $2.22

7.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.98 $2.98

-26.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.85 $7.85

$14.02 $14.02

-44.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.79 $14.79

$15.28 $15.28

-3.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 $1.70

$2.58 $2.58

-34.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.50 $3.50

-11.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.73 $1.73

$2.47 $2.47

-29.96%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$58.1 $58.1

$74.8 $74.8

-22.23%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.34 $3.34

-41.02%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.43 $1.43

-13.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.70 $19.70

$24.32 $24.32

-19.00%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$1.26 $1.26

-26.19%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.2K $27.2K

$35.0K $35.0K

-22.37%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.1K $26.1K

-3.55%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$185 $185

$193 $193

-4.20%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.6 $53.6

$68.3 $68.3

-21.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.2 $70.2

$61.3 $61.3

14.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$54.1 $54.1

17.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.14 $20.14

$27.92 $27.92

-27.87%

Cinema Ticket

$9.99 $9.99

$17.74 $17.74

-43.69%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,187 $1,187

$1,652 $1,652

-28.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.0K $12.0K

$31.1K $31.1K

-61.53%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.5 $59.5

$66.1 $66.1

-9.96%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.98 $42.98

$51.2 $51.2

-16.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$100 $100

0.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$141 $141

2.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,177 $1,177

$2,446 $2,446

-51.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$872 $872

$1,678 $1,678

-48.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,738 $1,738

$4,717 $4,717

-63.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,394 $1,394

$2,795 $2,795

-50.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,320 $2,320

$4,105 $4,105

-43.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,325 $2,325

$2,650 $2,650

-12.27%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,647 $3,647

$4,866 $4,866

-25.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.56

6.81

-3.67%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Des Moines, IA: October 19, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Des Moines, IA

$872 40.2%

Chicago, IL

$1.7K 53.5% 92.3% $805

Groceries & Markets

Des Moines, IA

$349 16.1%

Chicago, IL

$449 14.3% 28.6% $100

Eating Out

Des Moines, IA

$327 15.1%

Chicago, IL

$343 10.9% 5.1% $17

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Des Moines, IA

$308 14.2%

Chicago, IL

$322 10.3% 4.5% $14

Clothing & Footwear

Des Moines, IA

$157 7.2%

Chicago, IL

$161 5.1% 2.8% $4.4

Sport & Entertainment

Des Moines, IA

$84 3.9%

Chicago, IL

$90 2.9% 7% $5.9

Getting Around

Des Moines, IA

$73 3.4%

Chicago, IL

$95 3% 30% $22

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,177 in Des Moines, IA versus $2,446 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 33% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Des Moines, IA versus $90.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $349 vs $449 – making Des Moines, IA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Des Moines, IA

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

05:20 5:20 AM

Same time as Des Moines, IA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

214,133

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Des Moines, IA Chicago, IL 530 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Des Moines, IA
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Des Moines, IA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,171 in Des Moines, IA, $3,139 in Chicago, IL – roughly 45% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,256 per month in Des Moines, IA and $4,708 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Des Moines, IA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 29% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Des Moines, IA and $90.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Des Moines, IA, where all-in costs run around $2,171, than in Chicago, IL at $3,139. In Des Moines, IA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,171 in Des Moines, IA to $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Des Moines, IA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.