Salary Needed to Live in Des Moines as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $65,323/year to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $65,323/year to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA. The bare-minimum salary is $54,730/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,924.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,375/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,444/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$65,323
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$54,730
$4,561/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,375
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Des Moines
| Expense | Des Moines | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $927 | $1,641 | -44% |
| Groceries | $286 | $320 | -11% |
| Utilities | $168 | $225 | -25% |
| Transportation | $370 | $421 | -12% |
| Car Insurance | $138 | $211 | -35% |
| Health Insurance | $626 | $630 | -1% |
| Internet | $58 | $65 | -11% |
| Phone (x2) | $125 | $140 | -11% |
| Dining & Social | $401 | $450 | -11% |
| Entertainment | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $116 | $130 | -11% |
| Total Monthly | $3,375 | $4,413 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,375
Target savings (12%):$549/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,924
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$65,323
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$927
1-2BR Apartment rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus IA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$549/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
89/100
Des Moines is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $927/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $860/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $54,730/year as the survival floor and $65,323/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Des Moines
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Des Moines?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $65,323/year ($5,444/month gross) to live comfortably in Des Moines with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Des Moines?
A 1-2br apartment in Des Moines costs approximately $927/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Des Moines affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Des Moines is 24% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).