Des Moines, WA vs Yakima, WA

The cost of living difference between Des Moines, WA and Yakima, WA is dramatic. Yakima is 52.4% 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 Yakima sits at 89, 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 $1,075/month in Yakima — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Yakima is more affordable at $273,400 median vs $539,800.

Median household income in Des Moines is $89,787 compared to $59,228 in Yakima (+51.6%). The higher salaries in Des Moines partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Moines spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.8% in Yakima.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 50.8°F). Des Moines receives more rainfall at 39.3" per year compared to 8" in Yakima.