Cost of Living: Las Vegas, NV vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Las Vegas

Nevada
111
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Las Vegas is 59% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,456/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 28%
$70,723/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 10%
$395,300 ↑ 115%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 54%
$1,452/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 22%
650,873
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.85%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.53%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

24.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Las Vegas, NV and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 111 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $402/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $4,824/year.

Median household income is $6,757/year higher in Las Vegas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Las Vegas is $395,300 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Las Vegas residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Vegas vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Las Vegas 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 111 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Las Vegas and Des Moines?
Median rent in Las Vegas is $1,456/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $402/month.
Which city has higher income, Las Vegas or Des Moines?
Median household income is $70,723 in Las Vegas and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $6,757/year higher in Las Vegas.
How do taxes compare between Nevada and Iowa?
Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Las Vegas or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Las Vegas has a cost index of 111 with median rent of $1,456/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 Las Vegas details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Las Vegas and Des Moines

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