Is Des Moines, IA cheaper or more expensive than Minneapolis, MN?

Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN (RPP 102.9) by about 10.5%.

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

You would need approximately $89,504 in Des Moines, IA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN. Formula: $100,000 x (92.1 / 102.9).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Minneapolis, MN or Des Moines, IA?

For 2021-2022, Minneapolis, MN had a net loss of 12,426 people, while Des Moines, IA had a net gain of 488 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Minneapolis, MN vs Des Moines, IA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Minneapolis, MN and Des Moines, IA. 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 ↗

Minneapolis, MN

Overall RPP (US=100): 102.9
Housing RPP: 119.2
Goods RPP: 102.7
2-BR median rent: $1,622/mo

Minnesota income tax 5.35%-9.85%. No city income tax.

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%.

Equivalent salary

Des Moines, IA is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN by about 10.5% (RPP 102.9 to 92.1).

$60,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $53,703

in Des Moines, IA

$100,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $89,504

in Des Moines, IA

$150,000 in Minneapolis, MN

-> $134,257

in Des Moines, IA

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: Minneapolis, MN vs Des Moines, IA

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Minneapolis, MN

Net people: −12,426
Net rank: #52 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 1%

Largest source: Stearns County, MN. Largest destination: Stearns County, MN.

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.

Rent delta: Des Moines, IA is $542/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Minneapolis, MN. Housing RPP moves from 119.2 to 87.5.

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 Des Moines, IA cheaper or more expensive than Minneapolis, MN?: Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) is cheaper than Minneapolis, MN (RPP 102.9) by about 10.5%.
What salary do I need in Des Moines, IA if I earn $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN?: You would need approximately $89,504 in Des Moines, IA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Minneapolis, MN. Formula: $100,000 x (92.1 / 102.9).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Minneapolis, MN or Des Moines, IA?: For 2021-2022, Minneapolis, MN had a net loss of 12,426 people, while Des Moines, IA had a net gain of 488 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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