Clinton, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

The cost of living difference between Clinton, IA and West Des Moines, IA is dramatic. Clinton is 30.5% cheaper than West Des Moines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clinton has a cost index of 64 while West Des Moines sits at 92, 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 Clinton is $751/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clinton is more affordable at $115,400 median vs $286,300.

Median household income in Clinton is $57,493 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (-32.3%). 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 Clinton spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.