Des Moines, IA vs Mankato, MN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Mankato, MN and Des Moines, IA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Des Moines works out to about $74,400 in Mankato, before taxes.
- Housing is 5.7% lower in Mankato, goods 1.8% higher and other services 0.8% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,236 a month in Mankato and $1,280 in Des Moines, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $306,000 in Mankato and $293,000 in Des Moines.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.8%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Des Moines and Mankato
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.7 | 91.0 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 95.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 84.7 | 79.9 |
| Utilities | 84.6 | 87.1 |
| Other services | 92.9 | 92.2 |
| Category | Des Moines | Mankato | Mankato vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.7 | 91.0 | −0.8% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 95.4 | +1.8% |
| Housing (rents) | 84.7 | 79.9 | −5.7% |
| Utilities | 84.6 | 87.1 | +2.9% |
| Other services | 92.9 | 92.2 | −0.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,280 | $1,236 | −3.4% |
| Typical home value | $293,000 | $306,000 | +4.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Des Moines | $75,000 | $74,400 | −0.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Des Moines and Mankato has narrowed since 2008: 10.0 points then, 0.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 85.1 |
| 2009 | 97.2 | 88.7 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 92.7 |
| 2011 | 94.4 | 86.3 |
| 2012 | 95.5 | 94.5 |
| 2013 | 95.8 | 94.1 |
| 2014 | 95.9 | 89.4 |
| 2015 | 94.6 | 92.0 |
| 2016 | 94.6 | 88.6 |
| 2017 | 93.9 | 89.3 |
| 2018 | 95.5 | 94.8 |
| 2019 | 95.6 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 93.8 | 91.2 |
| 2021 | 93.4 | 88.3 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 88.9 |
| 2023 | 92.8 | 87.6 |
| 2024 | 91.7 | 91.0 |
Goods
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.4 | 76.9 |
| 2009 | 96.4 | 85.5 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 93.6 |
| 2011 | 95.9 | 94.3 |
| 2012 | 97.1 | 94.3 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 92.8 |
| 2014 | 98.2 | 94.6 |
| 2015 | 97.9 | 95.7 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 94.1 |
| 2017 | 95.9 | 93.7 |
| 2018 | 95.8 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 95.5 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 94.1 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 93.3 | 94.6 |
| 2023 | 96.6 | 97.0 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 95.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.1 | 80.2 |
| 2009 | 95.3 | 80.6 |
| 2010 | 85.6 | 88.5 |
| 2011 | 90.1 | 60.3 |
| 2012 | 91.7 | 100.4 |
| 2013 | 91.3 | 103.9 |
| 2014 | 93.2 | 68.8 |
| 2015 | 90.6 | 93.1 |
| 2016 | 88.9 | 78.9 |
| 2017 | 89.6 | 85.0 |
| 2018 | 91.9 | 92.0 |
| 2019 | 88.9 | 88.8 |
| 2020 | 81.8 | 69.3 |
| 2021 | 85.0 | 59.9 |
| 2022 | 87.6 | 72.1 |
| 2023 | 86.0 | 64.1 |
| 2024 | 84.7 | 79.9 |
Utilities
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.8 | 79.5 |
| 2009 | 93.4 | 78.1 |
| 2010 | 90.7 | 84.8 |
| 2011 | 90.7 | 78.8 |
| 2012 | 90.4 | 79.3 |
| 2013 | 90.2 | 81.8 |
| 2014 | 83.7 | 84.8 |
| 2015 | 82.7 | 84.3 |
| 2016 | 81.1 | 86.2 |
| 2017 | 88.7 | 85.8 |
| 2018 | 98.6 | 98.8 |
| 2019 | 99.5 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 100.1 | 93.9 |
| 2021 | 101.2 | 98.3 |
| 2022 | 100.7 | 96.8 |
| 2023 | 88.8 | 90.0 |
| 2024 | 84.6 | 87.1 |
Other services
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 93.9 |
| 2009 | 98.5 | 94.6 |
| 2010 | 98.1 | 94.2 |
| 2011 | 94.8 | 91.4 |
| 2012 | 95.7 | 93.8 |
| 2013 | 96.6 | 92.7 |
| 2014 | 95.9 | 93.5 |
| 2015 | 94.2 | 90.1 |
| 2016 | 95.4 | 89.0 |
| 2017 | 94.1 | 88.3 |
| 2018 | 96.2 | 96.4 |
| 2019 | 96.3 | 95.8 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 95.3 | 95.0 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 90.5 |
| 2023 | 92.3 | 90.8 |
| 2024 | 92.9 | 92.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,236 in Mankato vs $1,280 in Des Moines
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $924 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $948 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $941 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $935 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $945 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $957 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $961 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $950 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $966 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $989 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $991 | – | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $971 | – | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $982 | – | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,009 | – | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $999 | – | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $990 | – | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $996 | – | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,021 | – | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,029 | – | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,013 | – | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,023 | – | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,036 | – | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,048 | – | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,040 | – | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,056 | – | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,074 | – | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,096 | – | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,096 | – | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,119 | – | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,157 | – | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,177 | – | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,161 | $1,041 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,178 | $1,065 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,202 | $1,045 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,208 | $1,062 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,197 | $1,105 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,218 | $1,116 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,238 | $1,116 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,241 | $1,107 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,219 | $1,149 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,235 | $1,158 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,247 | $1,163 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,253 | $1,181 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,236 | $1,256 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,256 | $1,241 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,275 | $1,220 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,280 | $1,236 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $306,000 in Mankato vs $293,000 in Des Moines
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Des Moines, IA
- Mankato, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Des Moines, IA | Mankato, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $166K | $165K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $169K | $167K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $172K | $169K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $175K | $171K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $179K | $175K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $182K | $177K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $184K | $180K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $187K | $182K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $190K | $184K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $193K | $186K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $195K | $190K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $197K | $192K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $200K | $194K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $203K | $197K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $205K | $199K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $206K | $201K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $209K | $205K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $211K | $208K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $212K | $210K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $214K | $212K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $216K | $215K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $217K | $217K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $221K | $219K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $227K | $225K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $232K | $229K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $240K | $238K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $245K | $245K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $249K | $248K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $258K | $257K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $267K | $269K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $268K | $269K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $270K | $269K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $270K | $271K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $274K | $274K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $277K | $276K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $278K | $277K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $281K | $279K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $284K | $281K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $285K | $282K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $288K | $287K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $290K | $291K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $290K | $294K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $291K | $298K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $293K | $303K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $294K | $306K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $292K | $306K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $293K | $306K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.