CostIndexUSA

Des Moines, IA vs Green Bay, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
WI
Green Bay
93.1
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Des Moines is slightly cheaper than Green Bay — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $81,200 in Green Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing11.8%
Des Moines
84.7
Green Bay
74.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Des Moines
93.7
Green Bay
93.8
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Des Moines
97.6
Green Bay
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.9%
Des Moines
88.3
Green Bay
94.4
Utilities+6.4%
Des Moines
84.6
Green Bay
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Green Bay, WI
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Green Bay

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 91.7) = salary × 1.0153. 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×

Green Bay, WI

Median Home Price
$326,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
74.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.2×

Des Moines has 11.8% lower housing costs compared to Green Bay.

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

Green Bay, WI

Median Household Income
$76,200
Per Capita Income
$43,400
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
107,395
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismFinanceRetail

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)

Green Bay, WI
6.3×income-to-rent ratio

84% 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.