CostIndexUSA

Corvallis, OR vs Des Moines, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OR
Corvallis
104
overall index
$1,950/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Des Moines is moderately cheaper than Corvallis — 11.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Corvallis, you would need $70,500 in Des Moines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.0%
Corvallis
114.4
Des Moines
84.7
🛒 Groceries11.0%
Corvallis
105.3
Des Moines
93.7
🚗 Transportation7.3%
Corvallis
105.3
Des Moines
97.6
🏥 Healthcare7.3%
Corvallis
95.3
Des Moines
88.3
Utilities22.1%
Corvallis
108.6
Des Moines
84.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$70,500
$9,500 less needed in Des Moines

Formula: salary × (91.7 ÷ 104) = salary × 0.8817. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Corvallis, OR

Median Home Price
$542,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
114.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.2×

Des Moines, IA

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

Corvallis has 26.0% lower housing costs compared to Des Moines.

Income & Job Market

Corvallis, OR

Median Household Income
$73,000
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
58,641
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareAgricultureManufacturing

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).

Corvallis, OR
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.