Quick answer
Des Moines costs $125/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,815/mo). But New Orleans's Up to 4.25% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $440/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs New Orleans
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 New Orleans at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,620 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,620 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $250K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $360 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,815 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 59/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 48/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | Up to 4.25% ✓ |
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 $1,280 in New Orleans — a $130/month difference, or $1,560/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: New Orleans charges Up to 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 $250K in New Orleans. At a 20% down payment, that's a $1,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: New Orleans utilities run $5 more per month than Des Moines.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans 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.
New Orleans
Subtropical: hot and humid May–October (hurricane season), warm and dry November–April
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
New Orleans 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 New Orleans if…
- →You're a hospitality workers
- →You're a culinary professionals
- →You're a musicians / artists
- →You're a culture seekers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or New Orleans cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,815 in New Orleans — a $125/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or New Orleans?
New Orleans is more walkable with a Walk Score of 59/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs New Orleans: which has lower state income tax?
New Orleans has lower state income tax (Up to 4.25%). On an $80K salary, that saves $440/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or New Orleans better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $250K in New Orleans — a $5,000 difference on the median home.