Salary Needed to Live in Des Moines as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $50,456/year to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $50,456/year to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA. The bare-minimum salary is $43,638/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,037.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,691/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,205/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$50,456
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$43,638
$3,637/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,691
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Des Moines
| Expense | Des Moines | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $763 | $1,351 | -44% |
| Groceries | $185 | $207 | -11% |
| Utilities | $126 | $169 | -25% |
| Transportation | $278 | $316 | -12% |
| Car Insurance | $138 | $211 | -35% |
| Health Insurance | $626 | $630 | -1% |
| Internet | $58 | $65 | -11% |
| Phone | $76 | $85 | -11% |
| Dining & Social | $267 | $300 | -11% |
| Entertainment | $107 | $120 | -11% |
| Personal Care | $67 | $75 | -11% |
| Total Monthly | $2,691 | $3,529 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,691
Target savings (10%):$346/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,037
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$50,456
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$763
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus IA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$346/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 studio/1br housing near $763/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $575/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $43,638/year as the survival floor and $50,456/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Des Moines
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Des Moines?
A single person needs approximately $50,456/year ($4,205/month gross) to live comfortably in Des Moines with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Des Moines?
A studio/1br in Des Moines costs approximately $763/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Des Moines affordable for a single person?
Yes, Des Moines is 24% more affordable than the national average for a single person.