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 $470/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 $64,500/year before tax in Des Moines, IA and $78,500/year in Detroit, MI — a difference of about $14,000. 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. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $8,227/month in Des Moines and $9,052/month in Detroit, including county-median childcare.

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	Detroit58
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,608	$4,078
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$8,227	$9,052
Salary for comfort	$64,500/yr	$78,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,318	$1,411
Median home value	$183,700	$76,800
Median household income	$63,966	$39,575
Unemployment	3.5%	10.7%
Housing score	84	61
Jobs score	84	36
Safety score	30	18
Climate score	81	79
Amenities score	38	82
Population	212.5K	636.6K
Summer high / winter low	86° / 14°	83° / 20°

Des Moines, IA vs Detroit, MI