Quick answer
Lexington costs $60/month less overall ($1,630 vs $1,690/mo). Lexington also has lower state income tax (4% vs 4.82%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Lexington
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 Lexington at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,350 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,350 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $285K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $150 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $380 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,630 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Transit Score | 29/100 ✓ | 22/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | 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: Lexington's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Lexington charges 4% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $640/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $4,800 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $285K in Lexington. At a 20% down payment, that's a $8,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $20 more per month than Lexington. 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
Lexington, KY
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Lexington. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Lexington
Four seasons with humid summers (80-90°F June-August), cold winters (20-35°F December-February, 20 inches average snowfall), beautiful spring and fall, moderate rainfall (45 inches annually)
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Lexington 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 Lexington if…
- →You're a Horse and agriculture professionals
- →You're a People seeking affordability + Southern culture
- →You're a University of Kentucky students/staff
- →You're a Bourbon enthusiasts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Lexington is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,630 in Lexington vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $60/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Lexington?
Des Moines is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 35/100. Lexington is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Lexington: which has lower state income tax?
Lexington has lower state income tax (4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $640/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Lexington better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $285K in Lexington — a $40,000 difference on the median home.