Auburn, WA vs Des Moines, WA

Auburn, WA and Des Moines, WA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Auburn scores 133 while Des Moines scores 136 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $1,713/month compared to $1,727/month in Des Moines — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Auburn is more affordable at $510,400 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Auburn is $95,367 compared to $89,787 in Des Moines (+6.2%). Auburn offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Des Moines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.7°F). Des Moines receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 39.3" in Auburn.