Cost of Living: Orlando, FL vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

Orlando

Florida
115
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

Orlando is 64% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,650/mo ↑ 57%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 36%
$69,268/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 8%
$359,000 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 49%
$1,621/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 30%
311,732
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

28.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Orlando, FL and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 115 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $596/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $7,152/year.

Median household income is $5,302/year higher in Orlando. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Orlando is $359,000 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Orlando residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando vs Des Moines — common questions

Is Orlando 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 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Orlando and Des Moines?
Median rent in Orlando is $1,650/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $596/month.
Which city has higher income, Orlando or Des Moines?
Median household income is $69,268 in Orlando and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $5,302/year higher in Orlando.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Iowa?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Orlando or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Orlando has a cost index of 115 with median rent of $1,650/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 Orlando details → View Des Moines details →

More Comparisons

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