$100k a year, no longer in Boise
changea dispatch from
des moines
IA
41.59°N
93.62°W
Des Moines is the Iowa State Fair every August (think butter cows, deep-fried everything, and the political circus of every presidential cycle), insurance industry stability, and a downtown that's grown into a genuinely good food and brewery scene. The East Village neighborhood is the cool kid pocket. The whole city is bikeable. Friendly, affordable, and chronically underestimated.
in our guides
the verdict
under Boise, every month
Des Moines is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
29% cheaper than Boise(vs $1,794/mo)
6%
$17/mo more in state tax than Boise
vs 5.8% in Boise
$6,565/mo
$509 more than Boise
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
39% cheaper than Boise
vs $490k in Boise
737k
vs 827k in Boise
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Boise gets 166 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine. Winter has bite, though: 55 days drop below 20° vs Boise's 24.
Comparable to Boise for events and concerts.
55/100
33% lower than Boise
vs 82/100 in Boise
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
19% lower than Boise
vs 96/100 in Boise
17
6% more than Boise
vs 16 nonstops in Boise
neighbors of des moines on the map of tradeoffs:
