Is Des Moines, IA cheaper or more expensive than Omaha, NE?

Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) is more expensive than Omaha, NE (RPP 92.1) by about 0.0%.

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

You would need approximately $100,000 in Des Moines, IA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Omaha, NE. Formula: $100,000 x (92.1 / 92.1).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Omaha, NE or Des Moines, IA?

For 2021-2022, Omaha, NE had a net gain of 116 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

Omaha, NE vs Des Moines, IA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Omaha, NE 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 ↗

Omaha, NE

Overall RPP (US=100): 92.1
Housing RPP: 87.2
Goods RPP: 94
2-BR median rent: $1,170/mo

Nebraska income tax 2.46%-6.64%.

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 more expensive than Omaha, NE by about 0.0% (RPP 92.1 to 92.1).

$60,000 in Omaha, NE

-> $60,000

in Des Moines, IA

$100,000 in Omaha, NE

-> $100,000

in Des Moines, IA

$150,000 in Omaha, NE

-> $150,000

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: Omaha, NE vs Des Moines, IA

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Omaha, NE

Net people: +116
Net rank: #30 of 65
Top origin share: 5%
Top destination share: 4%

Largest source: Lancaster County, NE. Largest destination: Lancaster County, NE.

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 $90/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Omaha, NE. Housing RPP moves from 87.2 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 Omaha, NE?: Des Moines, IA (RPP 92.1) is more expensive than Omaha, NE (RPP 92.1) by about 0.0%.
What salary do I need in Des Moines, IA if I earn $100,000 in Omaha, NE?: You would need approximately $100,000 in Des Moines, IA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Omaha, NE. Formula: $100,000 x (92.1 / 92.1).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Omaha, NE or Des Moines, IA?: For 2021-2022, Omaha, NE had a net gain of 116 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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