Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Des Moines to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Des Moines has a slightly higher median household income ($65,932 vs $64,813) and significantly lower median gross rent ($1,090 vs $1,361) than Houston. Des Moines also reports a shorter derived one-way commute (21 minutes vs 30 minutes). Houston has no state individual income tax in the calculator’s simplified reference (0.00%), while Des Moines’ state tax is excluded per profile boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Des Moines offers better income-to-rent ratio and commute time, while Houston provides a tax-advantaged structure in the model despite higher housing costs.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → Des MoinesMoving from Des Moines to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$271/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$3,252 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+9 min / day
Difference of ~75 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTDES → HOU
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$9,132after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Des Moines is about $3,252 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Des Moines household income$65,932
Houston household income$64,813
Des Moines gross rent$1,090
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Des Moines | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 212,421 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,090 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $194,700 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Des Moines and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income comparison
- Median gross rent affordability
- Derived one-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in calculator
What each city wins
Des Moines
Rent-to-income ratio is favorable at ~20%.. Watch lower home values may reflect older housing stock or limited new construction..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Des Moines and Houston?
Des Moines has a median gross rent of $1,090 per month, which is $271 less than Houston’s $1,361, based on 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, indicating greater rental affordability in Des Moines.
What is the difference in commute times between the two cities?
Des Moines has a derived one-way commute estimate of 21 minutes, while Houston’s is 30 minutes, resulting in a 9-minute shorter average commute in Des Moines according to 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.