$100k a year, no longer in Omaha
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 Omaha, every month
On paper, Des Moines and Omaha are twins. In practice they live very differently.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
10% cheaper than Omaha(vs $1,412/mo)
6%
$13/mo more in state tax than Omaha
vs 5.84% in Omaha
$6,565/mo
$130 more than Omaha
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
2% cheaper than Omaha
vs $306k in Omaha
737k
vs 985k in Omaha
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Omaha barely cracks 145 pleasant ones.
Comparable to Omaha for events and concerts.
55/100
4% higher than Omaha
vs 53/100 in Omaha
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
10% lower than Omaha
vs 87/100 in Omaha
17
11% fewer than Omaha
vs 19 nonstops in Omaha
cities that play in des moines's register:
