Des Moines vs Tacoma: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Des Moines, IA and Tacoma, WA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 213,164 | 219,234 |
| Median household income | $62,378 | $79,085 |
| Median home value | $170,700 | $415,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $995 | $1,489 |
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 Des Moines, IA and Tacoma, WA comes down to what you value most. Des Moines has the lower median home value, and Des Moines has the lower median rent.
Tacoma 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 Des Moines or Tacoma?
- By median home value, Des Moines is the cheaper of the two ($170,700 vs $415,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Des Moines or Tacoma?
- Median household income is $62,378 in Des Moines versus $79,085 in Tacoma, per the US Census Bureau.