with $100k coming in, swapping out of Raleigh
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
below Raleigh's monthly cost
You'd feel the difference in Des Moines. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Raleigh.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
24% cheaper than Raleigh(vs $1,663/mo)
6%
$125/mo more in state tax than Raleigh
vs 4.5% in Raleigh
$6,565/mo
$270 more than Raleigh
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
32% cheaper than Raleigh
vs $440k in Raleigh
737k
vs 1.5M in Raleigh
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Raleigh edges ahead with 201 pleasant days. Winter asks for something in return: 55 days under 20° here, 3 in Raleigh.
About as much going on as in Raleigh.
55/100
5% lower than Raleigh
vs 58/100 in Raleigh
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
20% lower than Raleigh
vs 97/100 in Raleigh
17
56% fewer than Raleigh
vs 39 nonstops in Raleigh
neighbors of des moines on the map of tradeoffs:
