Des Moines, WA vs Pasco, WA

The cost of living difference between Des Moines, WA and Pasco, WA is dramatic. Pasco is 37% 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 Pasco sits at 99, 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 $1,201/month in Pasco — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pasco is more affordable at $344,700 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Des Moines is $89,787 compared to $81,130 in Pasco (+10.7%). Des Moines does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Moines spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Pasco.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 53.3°F). Des Moines receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 7.6" in Pasco.