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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Harlingen?
- Des Moines is 15.6% more expensive than Harlingen.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Moines or Harlingen?
- Des Moines housing costs are 29.9% more expensive than Harlingen housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Harlingen or is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 2.4% more in Des Moines.
 Harlingen, TXDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries90.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing44.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$175,700$338,100
 Utilities89  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock74.7100
 Miscellaneous71.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Harlingen    6 Reviews

Harlingen is a city that offers retirees the most bang for the buck! It is near enough to McAllen and Brownsville and all they offer. You get a wide variety of shopping  More

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This area of the state of Texas is bland to most people from the East and northeast. However the community has everything you need at a price you can afford. Dining out  More

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Over 8 years ago

Here is what you will not get in Harlingen: easy access to great museums and Michelin starred restaurants. However, there are things that counter it. 1) It is  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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