Quick answer
St. Louis costs $110/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $120/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 14, 2026
Des Moines vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,380 |
| Median Home Price | $245K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis'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: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $245K in Des Moines. At a 20% down payment, that's a $6,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than St. Louis. 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
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis 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.
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
St. Louis 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
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $110/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $120/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Des Moines or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $245K in Des Moines — a $30,000 difference on the median home.