Modesto vs Des Moines: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Modesto, CA and Des Moines, IA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,308 | 213,164 |
| Median household income | $73,375 | $62,378 |
| Median home value | $381,800 | $170,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,497 | $995 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Modesto, CA and Des Moines, IA comes down to what you value most. Des Moines has the lower median home value, and Des Moines has the lower median rent.
Modesto has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Modesto or Des Moines?
- By median home value, Des Moines is the cheaper of the two ($170,700 vs $381,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Modesto or Des Moines?
- Median household income is $73,375 in Modesto versus $62,378 in Des Moines, per the US Census Bureau.