Quick answer
Fayetteville costs $220/month less overall ($1,470 vs $1,690/mo). Fayetteville also has lower state income tax (4.4% vs 4.82%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Fayetteville
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 Fayetteville at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,300 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,300 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $380K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $120 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $300 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,470 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 65/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 35/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | 4.4% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Fayetteville'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: Fayetteville charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $320/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $380K in Fayetteville. At a 20% down payment, that's a $27,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $50 more per month than Fayetteville. 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
Fayetteville, AR
Fayetteville's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Fayetteville
Humid subtropical with warm summers (88°F average), mild winters (40°F average), and high spring tornado risk. Annual precipitation 49 inches.
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville if…
- →You're a Tech workers and software engineers
- →You're a Walmart employees
- →You're a Families seeking good schools
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts (hiking, biking)
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Fayetteville is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,470 in Fayetteville vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $220/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Fayetteville: which has lower state income tax?
Fayetteville has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $320/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Fayetteville better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $380K in Fayetteville — a $135,000 difference on the median home.