Quick answer
Des Moines costs $25/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,715/mo). But Knoxville'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 Knoxville
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 Knoxville at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $280K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $150 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $365 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,715 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 29/100 ✓ | 22/100 |
| 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 $1,200 in Knoxville — 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: Knoxville 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 $280K in Knoxville. At a 20% down payment, that's a $7,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $20 more per month than Knoxville. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Knoxville, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Knoxville. 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.
Knoxville
Humid subtropical; winters average 40°F, summers 85-88°F; 200+ sunny days/year
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Knoxville 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 Knoxville if…
- →You're a Graduate students and academics (UT, Oak Ridge employment)
- →You're a Research scientists and engineers
- →You're a Remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts with proximity to Smoky Mountains
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,715 in Knoxville — a $25/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Knoxville?
Des Moines is more walkable with a Walk Score of 45/100 vs 34/100. Knoxville is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Knoxville: which has lower state income tax?
Knoxville has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,840/year vs Des Moines (4.82%).
Is Des Moines or Knoxville better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $280K in Knoxville — a $35,000 difference on the median home.