$100k a year, no longer in Knoxville
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
the monthly cost of moving past Knoxville
Des Moines edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
27% cheaper than Knoxville(vs $1,731/mo)
6%
$500/mo more in state tax than Knoxville
vs 0% in Knoxville
$6,565/mo
$37 less than Knoxville
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
18% cheaper than Knoxville
vs $364k in Knoxville
737k
vs 947k in Knoxville
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Knoxville has the edge here, logging 189 pleasant days a year. Bring a real coat. 55 days stay under 20°, well past Knoxville's 9.
Things to do run about even with Knoxville.
55/100
20% lower than Knoxville
vs 69/100 in Knoxville
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
10% higher than Knoxville
vs 71/100 in Knoxville
17
0% fewer than Knoxville
vs 17 nonstops in Knoxville
neighbors of des moines on the map of tradeoffs:
