What salary do you need to live in Des Moines, IA?
For a single person: about $58,000/year before taxes to live comfortably. That's the gross income whose IA-taxed take-home covers roughly $1,080 rent plus everyday essentials, with a 20% cushion for savings. Figures include 2025 federal tax, FICA, and an effective 3.8% Iowa income tax.
Single person — est. essentials $3,227/mo
Tight
take-home covers $3,227/mo
$48,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $3,872/mo
$58,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $4,841/mo
$74,500/yr
2-person household — est. essentials $4,425/mo
Tight
take-home covers $4,425/mo
$64,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $5,310/mo
$78,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $6,638/mo
$98,500/yr
3-person household — est. essentials $5,348/mo
Tight
take-home covers $5,348/mo
$78,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $6,418/mo
$95,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $8,022/mo
$120,500/yr
4-person household — est. essentials $6,170/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,170/mo
$91,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $7,404/mo
$110,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $9,255/mo
$141,500/yr
How we calculate this
Essentials = typical rent ($1,080) + a national non-housing baseline by household size ($2,450 for one person) + Iowa's combined sales tax on the taxable share of that spending. We then solve for the gross salary whose after-tax take-home hits each tier. Local income taxes and property taxes aren't modeled — see the methodology.
Planning a move here?
Get notified when Des Moines gets more affordable, plus relocation tips.
Unsubscribe anytime