on $100k a year, leaving Oklahoma City
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
lighter monthly cost than Oklahoma City
A near-tie on cost. What separates Des Moines is the life around the numbers.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
8% cheaper than Oklahoma City(vs $1,376/mo)
6%
$104/mo more in state tax than Oklahoma City
vs 4.75% in Oklahoma City
$6,565/mo
$3 more than Oklahoma City
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
22% more expensive than Oklahoma City
vs $246k in Oklahoma City
737k
vs 1.5M in Oklahoma City
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Oklahoma City actually gets more: 191 pleasant days a year. The trade is winter: 55 days below 20°, vs 9 in Oklahoma City.
On par with Oklahoma City for events and shows.
55/100
22% higher than Oklahoma City
vs 45/100 in Oklahoma City
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
7% higher than Oklahoma City
vs 73/100 in Oklahoma City
17
15% fewer than Oklahoma City
vs 20 nonstops in Oklahoma City
cities that play in des moines's register:
