Question 1

Is Des Moines or Minneapolis cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Des Moines, IA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $580/month less than in Minneapolis, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,318/mo in Des Moines versus $1,709/mo in Minneapolis.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Des Moines vs Minneapolis?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $64,500/year before tax in Des Moines, IA and $79,000/year in Minneapolis, MN — a difference of about $14,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Des Moines or Minneapolis 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 $10,983/month in Minneapolis, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Des Moines or Minneapolis?

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	Minneapolis52
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,608	$4,188
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$8,227	$10,983
Salary for comfort	$64,500/yr	$79,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,318	$1,709
Median home value	$183,700	$345,600
Median household income	$63,966	$80,269
Unemployment	3.5%	4.2%
Housing score	84	60
Jobs score	84	42
Safety score	30	11
Climate score	81	60
Amenities score	38	64
Population	212.5K	426.8K
Summer high / winter low	86° / 14°	83° / 8°

Des Moines, IA vs Minneapolis, MN