Quick answer
Des Moines costs $110/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,800/mo). But Fort Worth's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,840/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Fort Worth
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
Des Moines vs Fort Worth at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,620 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,620 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $340K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $345 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,800 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 29/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% | None ✓ |
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 $1,280 in Fort Worth — a $130/month difference, or $1,560/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Fort Worth 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 $340K in Fort Worth. At a 20% down payment, that's a $19,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Fort Worth utilities run $5 more per month than Des Moines.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Fort Worth, TX
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Fort Worth. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Fort Worth
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Fort Worth top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to Fort Worth if…
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a Texas culture enthusiasts
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,800 in Fort Worth — a $110/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Fort Worth?
Des Moines is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Fort Worth: which has lower state income tax?
Fort Worth has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Fort Worth better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $340K in Fort Worth — a $95,000 difference on the median home.