Travel budget and cost of living in Des Moines (United States) how much does a trip cost?

Des Moines travel budget

Des Moines: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Des Moines

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Des Moines for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Des Moines compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Des Moines in 2025 is 19% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Des Moines in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Des Moines by expense type

Restaurant budget in Des Moines

Lunch

$ 18/person
($ 16 to $ 47)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 41/person
($ 27 to $ 77)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 13/person
($ 9.1 to $ 13)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 5 for 500ml
($ 3 to $ 7.1)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 4.1 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 8)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Cappuccino

$ 5.3/cup
($ 2.6 to $ 10.1)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4

Fizzy drink

$ 2.4/can
($ 1.9 to $ 6)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Water bottle

$ 2/bottle
($ 1.5 to $ 5)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Des Moines

1-star hotel

$ 147/night
($ 61 to $ 379)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

2-star hotel

$ 131/night
($ 61 to $ 439)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

3-star hotel

$ 185/night
($ 105 to $ 357)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 243

4-star hotel

$ 186/night
($ 133 to $ 311)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 345

5-star hotel

$ 147/night
($ 61 to $ 379)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 575

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 147/month
($ 61 to $ 379)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

Room with kitchen

$ 177/month
($ 86 to $ 328)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 263

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 156/month
($ 67 to $ 453)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Cottage or guest house

$ 151/month
($ 60 to $ 633)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 160/month
($ 68 to $ 503)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216

Supermarket food budget in Des Moines

Milk

$ 0.9/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 1.6)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 6.2/500g
($ 3 to $ 14)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.4

Rice

$ 2.1/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 12)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 3.6/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 9.1)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Chicken

$ 8.9/kg
($ 5.6 to $ 21)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.2/kg
($ 1.5 to $ 8.9)

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22% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 14)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 6.6)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 1.2
($ 1.2 to $ 4.5)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Des Moines

Bus ticket

$ 1.7/ticket
($ 1.7 to $ 1.7)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.3/km
($ 1.3 to $ 1.4)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Petrol

$ 0.8/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 0.8)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 2
($ 2 to $ 3.5)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Leisure activity budget in Des Moines

Cinema

$ 16/ticket
($ 10.1 to $ 19)

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0% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 21/hr
($ 21 to $ 21)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Des Moines

Cigarettes

$ 7.2/pack
($ 6.6 to $ 13)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.1

Levi's jeans

$ 55
($ 32 to $ 102)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 39
($ 19 to $ 86)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Plane ticket budget

London → Washington D. C.

$ 856
(fair price: $ 688)

Montreal → Washington D. C.

$ 435
(fair price: $ 401)

Edinburgh → Washington D. C.

$ 842
(fair price: $ 653)

Toronto → Washington D. C.

$ 363
(fair price: $ 287)

Los Angeles → Washington D. C.

$ 365
(fair price: $ 263)

Dublin → Washington D. C.

$ 637
(fair price: $ 546)