Burlington, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Burlington is 24.5% cheaper than West Des Moines. With a cost index of 70 vs 92, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Burlington to West Des Moines should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $931/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $115,800 median vs $286,300.

Median household income in Burlington is $55,274 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (-34.9%). While West Des Moines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.