same $100k income, fresh start from Tampa
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 Tampa
Not a fortune, but real money. Des Moines runs cheaper than Tampa month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,268/mo
36% cheaper than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)
6%
$500/mo more in state tax than Tampa
vs 0% in Tampa
$6,565/mo
$228 more than Tampa
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$300k
20% cheaper than Tampa
vs $374k in Tampa
737k
vs 3.3M in Tampa
field notes, weather & such.
151
pleasant days a year, in des moines.
Tampa gets 243 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine. Cold is the cost: 55 days drop below 20° vs Tampa's 0.
On par with Tampa for events and shows.
55/100
11% lower than Tampa
vs 62/100 in Tampa
Closest outdoor draw: Rock Creek State Park, 40.2 mi.
78/100
15% lower than Tampa
vs 92/100 in Tampa
17
75% fewer than Tampa
vs 68 nonstops in Tampa
if des moines appeals, also worth a look:
