Quick answer
Milwaukee costs $40/month less overall ($1,650 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $2,280/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $245K | $235K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $355 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,650 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 63/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 48/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% ✓ | 7.65% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Milwaukee's 1BR averages $1,150/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs 7.65% in Milwaukee. On an $80K salary that's a $2,280/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $9,180 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Milwaukee are $235K vs $245K in Des Moines. At a 20% down payment, that's a $2,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than Milwaukee. 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
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Milwaukee
Four seasons; cold winters (lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan), warm summers, strong fall colors
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Milwaukee 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
Move to Milwaukee if…
- →You're a manufacturing workers
- →You're a brewery industry workers
- →You're a Chicago commuters / remote workers
- →You're a outdoor / lake lifestyle seekers
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Milwaukee cheaper to live in?
Milwaukee is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,650 in Milwaukee vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $40/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is more walkable with a Walk Score of 63/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Milwaukee: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,280/year vs Milwaukee (7.65%).
Is Des Moines or Milwaukee better for buying a home?
Milwaukee has lower median home prices at $235K vs $245K in Des Moines — a $10,000 difference on the median home.