Question 1

Is Des Moines or Detroit cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $311/month less than in Detroit, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,318/mo in Des Moines versus $1,411/mo in Detroit.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Des Moines vs Detroit?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $67,500/year before tax in Des Moines, IA and $78,000/year in Detroit, MI — a difference of about $10,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Des Moines or Detroit cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Des Moines, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $6,993/month in Des Moines and $7,360/month in Detroit, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Des Moines or Detroit?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Des Moines costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Des Moines69	Detroit59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,738	$4,049
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$6,993	$7,360
Salary for comfort	$67,500/yr	$78,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,318	$1,411
Median home value	$183,700	$76,800
Median household income	$63,966	$39,575
Unemployment	3.3%	10.7%
Housing score	86	62
Jobs score	84	37
Safety score	30	18
Climate score	81	87
Amenities score	38	82
Population	212.5K	636.6K
Summer high / winter low	86° / 14°	83° / 20°

Des Moines, IA vs Detroit, MI