CostIndexUSA

Des Moines, IA vs Savannah, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
GA
Savannah
95.2
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Des Moines is slightly cheaper than Savannah — 3.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $83,100 in Savannah. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+1.5%
Des Moines
84.7
Savannah
86
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Des Moines
93.7
Savannah
96.3
🚗 Transportation+6.1%
Des Moines
97.6
Savannah
103.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.1%
Des Moines
88.3
Savannah
93.7
Utilities+4.7%
Des Moines
84.6
Savannah
88.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Des Moines to see what you'd need to earn in Savannah to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Savannah, GA
$83,100
$3,100 more needed in Savannah

Formula: salary × (95.2 ÷ 91.7) = salary × 1.0382. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Des Moines, IA

Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
84.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Savannah, GA

Median Home Price
$344,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Savannah has 1.5% higher housing costs compared to Des Moines.

Income & Job Market

Des Moines, IA

Median Household Income
$82,700
Per Capita Income
$47,100
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
214,237
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturing

Savannah, GA

Median Household Income
$75,200
Per Capita Income
$42,900
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
147,088
Top Industries
TourismMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Des Moines, IA
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Savannah, GA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.