Quick answer
Des Moines costs $50/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,740/mo). But Ann Arbor's 4.25% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $440/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor vs Des Moines
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Ann Arbor vs Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Ann Arbor | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $1,350 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,550 | $1,350 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $485K | $245K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $160 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $330 ✓ | $370 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,740 | $1,690 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 75/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 52/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% ✓ | 4.82% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Des Moines's 1BR averages $1,150/month vs $1,250 in Ann Arbor — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Ann Arbor charges 4.25% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $440/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $5,100 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $485K in Ann Arbor. At a 20% down payment, that's a $48,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $10 more per month than Ann Arbor.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Ann Arbor
Cold, snowy winters (15-30°F, 40-50 inches snow annually). Summers are mild (78-82°F, 55-65% humidity). Lake effect snow from Lake Michigan is significant.
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Job Market
Ann Arbor top industries
Des Moines top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Ann Arbor if…
- →You're a Students & alumni
- →You're a Academics & researchers
- →You're a Healthcare professionals
- →You're a Young professionals
- →You want to live without a car
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ann Arbor or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,740 in Ann Arbor — a $50/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Ann Arbor or Des Moines?
Ann Arbor is more walkable with a Walk Score of 75/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Ann Arbor vs Des Moines: which has lower state income tax?
Ann Arbor has lower state income tax (4.25%). On an $80K salary, that saves $440/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Ann Arbor or Des Moines better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $485K in Ann Arbor — a $240,000 difference on the median home.