Quick answer
Des Moines costs $130/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,820/mo). But Houston'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 Houston
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 Houston at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,620 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,620 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $305K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 ✓ | $190 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $350 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,820 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 48/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 36/100 ✓ |
| 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 Houston — 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: Houston 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 $305K in Houston. At a 20% down payment, that's a $12,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Houston utilities run $20 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
Houston, TX
Houston is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Houston
Hot and humid year-round; summers brutal (95°F+, feels 105°F+); mild winters; hurricane risk June–Nov
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Houston 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 Houston if…
- →You're a energy sector workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a families on a budget
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Houston cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,820 in Houston — a $130/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Houston?
Houston is more walkable with a Walk Score of 48/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Houston: which has lower state income tax?
Houston has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Houston better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $305K in Houston — a $60,000 difference on the median home.