Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Arlington is 190% more expensive than Des Moines.

$2,275/mo ↑ 116%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 54%
$140,160/yr ↑ 119%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 54%
$864,800 ↑ 371%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 79%
$2,414/mo ↑ 112%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 53%
235,463
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,221/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $14,652/year.

Median household income is $76,194/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Iowa has a lower income tax rate, making Des Moines slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Arlington or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Des Moines?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $1,221/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Des Moines?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $76,194/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Iowa?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

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