Chicago, IL vs Des Moines, IA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago is materially more expensive on housing — $315,000 for a typical home compared with $184,000 in Des Moines, a gap of roughly 42%.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$183,700 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$204,843
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,054/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
60.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
14.5x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$63,966
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$36,459
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.8% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
14.9%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
21.2 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
72.3%
Public Transit %
19.3%
1.1%
Work From Home %
18.3%
11.4%
State Income Tax
5.0%
5.7%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
6.9% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
19.9%
Median Age
35.7
34.6
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
36.5"
Annual Snowfall
—
36.5"
Chicago, IL 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Des Moines, IA 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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