Build your monthly budget for Des Moines. The calculator is pre-filled with realistic local expenses, including $1,050 average rent, so you can see your savings rate against the 50/30/20 rule.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Des Moines has a cost-of-living index of 91 (US average = 100). Housing is usually the largest line item, with average 1-bedroom rent near $1,050/month. The estimates below are pre-filled in the calculator and scaled to local costs.
| Expense Category | Typical Des Moines Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (1-bedroom rent) | $1,050/month |
| Food (single person) | $400/month |
| Transportation | $500/month |
| Utilities & Internet | $160/month |
| Healthcare & Insurance | $320/month |
| Personal & Entertainment | $200/month |
| Recommended Savings | 15%+ of gross income |
| Emergency Fund Target | 3 to 6 months of expenses |
Des Moines is the capital and largest city in Iowa and a national insurance and financial-services capital, home to major insurers and asset managers, along with agribusiness, healthcare, and a growing technology and data-center base.
| Local Metric | Des Moines (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 210,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Polk County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 91 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,050/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Median home price | $220,000 |
| Median household income | $62,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.5% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
With a cost-of-living index of 91 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent near $1,050/month, a single adult in Des Moines typically needs take-home pay of at least $4,050/month to cover needs and save. The MIT living wage for a single adult is about $19.50/hour.
Split after-tax income into 50% needs (housing, food, utilities, transport, minimum debt), 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. In a high-cost city like Des Moines, the needs share often runs above 50%, so protect the 20% savings target.
Average rent in Des Moines is about $1,050 for a 1-bedroom and $1,300 for a 2-bedroom. A common guideline keeps rent under 30% of gross income, though that is difficult in higher-cost metros.
Based on the local cost-of-living index, typical monthly expenses in Des Moines run around $1,050 housing, $400 food, $500 transportation, and $160 utilities for a single person. The calculator is pre-filled with these estimates.
Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. In Des Moines, with monthly needs around $2,430, that is roughly $7,290 to $14,580.