CostIndexUSA

Des Moines, IA vs Tyler, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostIA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
TX
Tyler
92.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Des Moines and Tyler have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing5.7%
Des Moines
84.7
Tyler
79.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Des Moines
93.7
Tyler
93.8
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Des Moines
97.6
Tyler
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Des Moines
88.3
Tyler
91.4
Utilities2.0%
Des Moines
84.6
Tyler
82.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tyler, TX
$80,400
$400 more needed in Tyler

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 91.7) = salary × 1.0055. 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×

Tyler, TX

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
79.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Des Moines has 5.7% lower housing costs compared to Tyler.

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

Tyler, TX

Median Household Income
$72,300
Per Capita Income
$41,200
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
104,798
Top Industries
HealthcareEnergyManufacturingRetailEducation

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)

Tyler, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.