Quick answer
El Paso costs $155/month less overall ($1,535 vs $1,690/mo). El Paso also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.82%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs El Paso
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
Des Moines vs El Paso at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,400 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,400 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $320K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $340 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,535 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 30/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: El Paso's 1BR averages $1,050/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — 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: El Paso charges None state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $3,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $320K in El Paso. At a 20% down payment, that's a $15,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than El Paso. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
El Paso, TX
El Paso is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
El Paso
High desert with 300+ sunny days, very low humidity, and mild winters (50-65°F). Summers hot and dry (90-105°F). Virtually no rainfall.
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
El Paso top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to El Paso if…
- →You're a Remote workers with out-of-state income
- →You're a Military families (Fort Bliss proximity)
- →You're a Budget-conscious families seeking lowest cost of living
- →You're a Retirees on fixed incomes
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or El Paso cheaper to live in?
El Paso is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,535 in El Paso vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $155/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or El Paso?
El Paso is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs El Paso: which has lower state income tax?
El Paso has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or El Paso better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $320K in El Paso — a $75,000 difference on the median home.