Des Moines, Iowa
In Des Moines, Iowa, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.43 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.64 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,257, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Des Moines's cost-of-living index of 84 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.43
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,257
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$11.50
Combo meal
Electricity
12.83¢
per kWh · ~$115/mo
Car Insurance
$118/mo
$1,420/yr
Median Household Income
$81,621
25.8% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,420 in Des Moines. Compare rates:
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Avg rent $1,257/mo in Des Moines. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$4.85 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.61 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.34 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.84 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.14 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$10.93 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.14 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.51 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.77 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.63 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.18 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.36 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.53 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.82 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.06 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.05 | $4.85 | +19.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.21 | $7.61 | +22.5% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.27 | $6.34 | +20.3% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.39 | $1.84 | +32.4% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.05 | $5.14 | +26.9% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.96 | $10.93 | +37.3% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.66 | $5.14 | +40.4% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.86 | $4.51 | +16.8% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.21 | $4.77 | +13.3% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.02 | $2.63 | +30.2% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.72 | $2.18 | +26.7% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.35 | $7.36 | +37.6% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.77 | $4.53 | +20.2% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.82 | +28.2% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.75 | $8.06 | +40.2% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$11.50
Casual Dining
$19.71
Monthly Spend
$309.33
+3.27% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.38
$10.29
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $7.20
$11.11
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $7.72
$11.52
+49.2%Starbucks
2022: $3.66
$5.09
+39.1%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Des Moines?
Average 1BR: $1,031/mo · 2BR: $1,483/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
318k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,395
$73k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$82k
household median
Employment by Sector — Des Moines
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$62k/yr
~$92k/yr
~$60k/yr
~$114k/yr
~$27k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 19153
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,195/wk · $114k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$523/wk · $27k/yr
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