Quick answer
Des Moines costs $215/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,905/mo). But Anchorage's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,840/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Anchorage vs Des Moines
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
Anchorage vs Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Anchorage | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,200 | $1,350 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,500 | $1,350 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $385K | $245K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $220 | $170 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $485 | $370 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,905 | $1,690 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 45/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 26/100 | 29/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 4.82% |
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 $1,200 in Anchorage — 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: Anchorage charges None state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $3,840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $385K in Anchorage. At a 20% down payment, that's a $28,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Anchorage utilities run $50 more per month than Des Moines. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Anchorage, AK
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Anchorage. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Anchorage
Extreme seasonal variation: summer (May-August) has 18-20 hours of daylight, mild 60-75°F, dry; winter (December-February) has 6-8 hours of daylight, extreme cold (-20 to -30°F is common), heavy snow (70+ inches annually); extended spring and fall with twilight conditions
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Job Market
Anchorage top industries
Des Moines top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Anchorage if…
- →You're a Oil / energy professionals
- →You're a Aviation / cargo industry workers
- →You're a Adventure seekers
- →You're a People drawn to frontier life and extreme seasons
- →You want zero state income tax
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anchorage or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,905 in Anchorage — a $215/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Anchorage or Des Moines?
Des Moines is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 36/100. Anchorage is more car-dependent.
Anchorage vs Des Moines: which has lower state income tax?
Anchorage has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Anchorage or Des Moines better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $385K in Anchorage — a $140,000 difference on the median home.