Des Moines, WA vs Kelso, WA

The cost of living difference between Des Moines, WA and Kelso, WA is dramatic. Kelso is 45% cheaper than Des Moines, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Des Moines has a cost index of 136 while Kelso sits at 94, 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 Des Moines is $1,727/month compared to $1,131/month in Kelso — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kelso is more affordable at $302,300 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Des Moines is $89,787 compared to $59,462 in Kelso (+51%). 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 Des Moines spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 22.8% in Kelso.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53°F). Kelso receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 39.3" in Des Moines.