$100k a year, no longer in New Haven
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 New Haven, every month
Des Moines is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
39% cheaper than New Haven(vs $2,089/mo)
6%
$42/mo more in state tax than New Haven
vs 5.5% in New Haven
$6,565/mo
$779 more than New Haven
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
29% cheaper than New Haven
vs $424k in New Haven
737k
vs 568k in New Haven
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
New Haven actually gets more: 155 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 55 days below 20° vs New Haven's 40.
A real upgrade on things to do: 2.6× New Haven's pace.
55/100
18% lower than New Haven
vs 67/100 in New Haven
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
19% lower than New Haven
vs 96/100 in New Haven
17
1600% more than New Haven
vs 1 nonstops in New Haven
in the same ballpark as des moines:
