Quick answer
Des Moines costs $120/month less overall ($1,690 vs $1,810/mo). Des Moines also has lower state income tax (4.82% vs 5.75%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Richmond
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 Richmond at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,680 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,680 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $330K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $345 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 ✓ | $1,810 |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 51/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 37/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% ✓ | 5.75% |
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 $1,320 in Richmond — a $170/month difference, or $2,040/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 5.75% in Richmond. On an $80K salary that's a $760/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,900 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $330K in Richmond. At a 20% down payment, that's a $17,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $25 more per month than Richmond. 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
Richmond, VA
Richmond 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.
Richmond
Four seasons; hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional snow, pleasant spring and fall
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Richmond 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 Richmond if…
- →You're a finance workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a craft beer lovers
- →You're a DC-adjacent remote workers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Des Moines is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,690 in Des Moines vs $1,810 in Richmond — a $120/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Richmond?
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 51/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Richmond: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $760/year vs Richmond (5.75%).
Is Des Moines or Richmond better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $330K in Richmond — a $85,000 difference on the median home.