Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Des Moines, IA vs. Palo Alto, CA

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Des Moines, IA vs Palo Alto, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Palo Alto or is it cheaper to live in Des Moines?
- Palo Alto is 166.7% more expensive than Des Moines.

Which city has more affordable housing, Palo Alto or Des Moines?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 1,872.0% more expensive than Des Moines housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines or is Health Care more affordable in Palo Alto.
- Health related expenses are 5.2% more in Palo Alto.
 Des Moines, IAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Overall86.6231.0100
 Food & Groceries96.0124.4100
 Health102.4107.7100
 Housing57.81,139.8100
 Median Home Cost$175,700$3,107,600$338,100
 Utilities8,960.0%8,990.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation74.7140.6100
 Miscellaneous112.2156.2100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 4 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines

Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Des Moines, Iowa Cost of Living vs Palo Alto, California Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
50317, 50315, 50310, 50320, 50313, 50316, 50312, 50311, 50314, 50321, 12 total
ZIPS IN PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
94306 94301 94304

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now