Is Madison, WI cheaper or more expensive than Des Moines, IA?

Madison, WI (RPP 95.3) is more expensive than Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) by about 3.5%.

What salary do I need in Madison, WI if I earn $100,000 in Des Moines, IA?

You would need approximately $103,474 in Madison, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Des Moines, IA. Formula: $100,000 x (95.3 / 92.1).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Des Moines, IA or Madison, WI?

For 2021-2022, Des Moines, IA had a net gain of 488 people, while Madison, WI had a net loss of 1,925 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Des Moines, IA vs Madison, WI: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Des Moines, IA and Madison, WI. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Des Moines, IA

Overall RPP (US=100): 92.1
Housing RPP: 87.5
Goods RPP: 93.3
2-BR median rent: $1,080/mo

Iowa income tax 4.4%-6.0%.

Madison, WI

Overall RPP (US=100): 95.3
Housing RPP: 99
Goods RPP: 91.7
2-BR median rent: $1,372/mo

Wisconsin income tax 3.54%-7.65%.

Equivalent salary

Madison, WI is more expensive than Des Moines, IA by about 3.5% (RPP 92.1 to 95.3).

$60,000 in Des Moines, IA

-> $62,085

in Madison, WI

$100,000 in Des Moines, IA

-> $103,474

in Madison, WI

$150,000 in Des Moines, IA

-> $155,212

in Madison, WI

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Des Moines, IA vs Madison, WI

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Des Moines, IA

Net people: +488
Net rank: #27 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 3%

Largest source: Story County, IA. Largest destination: Story County, IA.

Madison, WI

Net people: −1,925
Net rank: #34 of 65
Top origin share: 4%
Top destination share: 5%

Largest source: Rock County, WI. Largest destination: Rock County, WI.

Rent delta: Madison, WI is $292/mo higher for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Des Moines, IA. Housing RPP moves from 87.5 to 99.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Madison, WI cheaper or more expensive than Des Moines, IA?: Madison, WI (RPP 95.3) is more expensive than Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) by about 3.5%.
What salary do I need in Madison, WI if I earn $100,000 in Des Moines, IA?: You would need approximately $103,474 in Madison, WI to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Des Moines, IA. Formula: $100,000 x (95.3 / 92.1).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Des Moines, IA or Madison, WI?: For 2021-2022, Des Moines, IA had a net gain of 488 people, while Madison, WI had a net loss of 1,925 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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