Quick answer
Des Moines costs $565/month less overall ($1,690 vs $2,255/mo). But Denver's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $320/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Denver 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: October 21, 2026
Denver vs Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Denver | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,740 | $1,350 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,250 | $1,350 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $565K | $245K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $145 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $370 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,255 | $1,690 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 61/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 44/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 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 $1,740 in Denver — a $590/month difference, or $7,080/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Denver charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.82% in Des Moines. On an $80K salary that's a $320/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,760 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $565K in Denver. At a 20% down payment, that's a $64,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than Denver.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Denver, CO
Denver's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Denver
300 sunny days; dry winters with periodic snow (rarely extreme cold); hot low-humidity summers; 5,280 ft altitude affects nearly all newcomers for the first 1–3 weeks
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Job Market
Denver top industries
Des Moines top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Denver if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a craft beer lovers
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 Denver 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 $2,255 in Denver — a $565/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Denver or Des Moines?
Denver is more walkable with a Walk Score of 61/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Denver vs Des Moines: which has lower state income tax?
Denver has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $320/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Denver or Des Moines better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $565K in Denver — a $320,000 difference on the median home.