City vs city
Des Moines, IA vs Rochester, NY
- Rent is 1% lower in Rochester (median $1,081/mo vs $1,090/mo in Des Moines).
- Homes cost 39% less in Rochester ($140k vs $195k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $92 more a month after taxes and rent in Des Moines.
- Schools rate higher in Des Moines (2.1/10 vs 1.1/10).
- Rochester has less violent crime (5.7 vs 6.4 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Des Moines gets more sun (202 vs 166 sunny days a year).
| Des Moines | Rochester | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,090/mo | $1,081/mo |
| Median home value | $195k | $140k |
| Median household income | $66k | $47k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,856 | $3,764 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 2.1/10 | 1.1/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.8× the US rate | 1.6× the US rate |
| Summer average | 86°F | 83°F |
| Winter average | 22°F | 26°F |
| Sunny days a year | 202 | 166 |
| Walk score | 45 | 68 |
| Population | 212,421 | 208,772 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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