2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Boone, IA vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Boone?
- Des Moines is 8.8% more expensive than Boone.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Moines or Boone?
- Des Moines housing costs are 37.9% more expensive than Boone housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Boone or is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 6.1% less in Des Moines.
 Boone, IADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries95.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing41.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$175,700$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock74.7100
 Miscellaneous104.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Boone    6 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

As long as you grew up here, or have a relative who did, you will do just fine. Outsiders...they don't want them! Other than a railroad employee, or two, in 5 years, I  More

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Over 12 years ago

Lived there 5 years; other than a few railroad employees, everyone I ran into was related to someone in the community. Most are either resistant to change, or have a  More

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Over 12 years ago

Lived there 5 years; other than a few railroad employees, everyone I ran into was related to someone in the community. Most are either resistant to change, or have a  More

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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

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

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

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Over 6 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

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