Moving from Ames, IA to Des Moines, IA
About 3,421 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Des Moines, IA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.0% of income in Ames, IA and 20.0% in Des Moines, IA.
Ames, IA Des Moines, IA (monthly)
| Monthly | Ames, IA | Des Moines, IA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,164 | $1,164 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $171 | $171 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,669 | $4,669 | $0 |
| Housing | $944 | $1,145 | +$201 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $944 | $1,145 | +$201 |
| Food | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.7 | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $933 | $933 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.7 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 92.9 | $465 | $465 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,186 | $1,985 | −$201 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.1% of income in Ames, IA and 15.1% in Des Moines, IA.
Ames, IA Des Moines, IA (monthly)
| Monthly | Ames, IA | Des Moines, IA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,513 | $1,513 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $278 | $278 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,487 | $8,487 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,061 | $1,360 | +$299 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,061 | $1,360 | +$299 |
| Childcare | $1,399 | $1,457 | +$57 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $153/wk, school-age $122/wk (2022 prices, Polk County, IA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,399 | $1,457 | +$57 |
| Food | $1,202 | $1,202 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.7 | $1,202 | $1,202 | $0 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $28 | $28 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $933 | $933 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.7 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 92.9 | $465 | $465 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,534 | $3,178 | −$356 |
Ames, IA vs Des Moines, IA at a glance
| Measure | Ames, IA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 88.8 | 91.7 |
| Housing price level | 69.2 | 84.7 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $944 | $1,145 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,061 | $1,360 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,469 | $1,856 |
| Median home value | $246,300 | $267,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.39% | 1.59% |
| Median household income | $73,127 | $85,890 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $170 | $177 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6% | 6% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $117 | $117 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Des Moines, IA to keep my Ames, IA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Ames, IA, about $73,625 in Des Moines, IA (+5.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $125,586. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Des Moines, IA cheaper than Ames, IA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Des Moines, IA is at 91.7 and Ames, IA at 88.8 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$201 a month in Des Moines, IA.
How many people move from Ames, IA to Des Moines, IA?+
About 3,421 people a year (±592), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.