Quick answer
Des Moines costs $660/month less overall ($1,690 vs $2,350/mo). But Philadelphia's 3.07% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,384/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $2,350 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $2,350 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $280K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $155 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $395 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $2,350 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 79/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 67/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | 3.07% ✓ |
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 $1,800 in Philadelphia — a $650/month difference, or $7,800/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Philadelphia charges 3.07% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $1,384/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $3,684 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $280K in Philadelphia. At a 20% down payment, that's a $7,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $15 more per month than Philadelphia. 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
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia'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.
Philadelphia
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with snow, beautiful fall foliage
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a urban lifestyle seekers
- →You're a NYC workers seeking lower costs
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Philadelphia cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $2,350 in Philadelphia — a $660/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is more walkable with a Walk Score of 79/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Philadelphia: which has lower state income tax?
Philadelphia has lower state income tax (3.07%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,384/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Philadelphia better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $280K in Philadelphia — a $35,000 difference on the median home.