CostIndexUSA

Corpus Christi, TX vs Des Moines, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Corpus Christi
92.7
overall index
$1,425/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Des Moines is slightly cheaper than Corpus Christi — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Corpus Christi, you would need $79,100 in Des Moines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Corpus Christi
84.9
Des Moines
84.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Corpus Christi
93.8
Des Moines
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.5%
Corpus Christi
101.1
Des Moines
97.6
🏥 Healthcare3.4%
Corpus Christi
91.4
Des Moines
88.3
Utilities+4.4%
Corpus Christi
81
Des Moines
84.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$79,100
$900 less needed in Des Moines

Formula: salary × (91.7 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9892. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Home Price
$217,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
84.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Des Moines, IA

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

Income & Job Market

Corpus Christi, TX

Median Household Income
$62,500
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
326,554
Top Industries
EnergyMilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturing

Des Moines, IA

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Corpus Christi, TX
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

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

82% 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.