Cheney, WA vs Des Moines, WA

The cost of living difference between Cheney, WA and Des Moines, WA is dramatic. Cheney is 30.2% cheaper than Des Moines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cheney has a cost index of 95 while Des Moines sits at 136, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cheney is $1,075/month compared to $1,727/month in Des Moines — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cheney is more affordable at $330,300 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Cheney is $47,039 compared to $89,787 in Des Moines (-47.6%). While 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 Cheney spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23.1% in Des Moines.

Climate-wise, Des Moines is notably warmer with an average of 53.7°F compared to 45°F in Cheney. Des Moines receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 18.3" in Cheney.