Quick answer
Des Moines costs $300/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,990/mo). But Tempe's 2.5% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,840/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Tempe
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 Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,850 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 ✓ | $210 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $330 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,990 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | 2.5% ✓ |
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 $1,450 in Tempe — a $300/month difference, or $3,600/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Tempe charges 2.5% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $1,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $3,000 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $520K in Tempe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $55,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tempe utilities run $40 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
Tempe, AZ
Tempe'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.
Tempe
Hot and dry: 100-120°F June-August, 55-70°F Nov-Feb. Virtually no rain. Intense sun, low humidity, clear skies year-round.
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Tempe 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 Tempe if…
- →You're a Tech workers wanting California-quality jobs with 40% cheaper housing
- →You're a Students and recent graduates (ASU ecosystem)
- →You're a Remote workers who can handle extreme heat
- →You're a Anyone wanting low taxes, walkability, and affordable homeownership
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,990 in Tempe — a $300/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Tempe?
Tempe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 71/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Tempe: which has lower state income tax?
Tempe has lower state income tax (2.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Tempe better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $520K in Tempe — a $275,000 difference on the median home.