Des Moines costs 70-250 USD per day for travelers in 2026. Hotels average 100 USD/night, meals cost 15-30 USD, making Des Moines moderately priced compared to other Midwest destinations. Budget travelers (70 USD/day): Stay in hostels (50 USD/night), eat at local restaurants (15 USD/meal), use public transport. Mid-range travelers (150 USD/day): Comfortable hotels (100 USD/night), varied dining (30 USD/meal), occasional taxis. Luxury travelers (250 USD/day): Premium hotels (200 USD/night), fine dining (60 USD/meal), private tours. Top money-saving tip: Stay at budget-friendly hotels like super 8 or days inn. Free activities include pappajohn sculpture park – 4.4-acre park featuring artwork by renowned artists. Des Moines ranks as moderately priced within Midwest, offering excellent value compared to regional averages.
Plan the practical part
Des Moines Trip Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit in 2026?
Daily budget guide for Des Moines (prices in USD)Updated
- Budget$70–$150 / day
- Mid-range$150–$250 / day
- Luxury$250–$375 / day
What a day in Des Moines costs
Budget
$70–$150 / day
Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.
Mid-range
$150–$250 / day
Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.
Luxury
$250–$375 / day
Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.
Estimates are per person, per day, in USD.
Make it your trip
What could your trip cost?
Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.
Estimated trip budget · USD
7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range
- Daily budget per person
- $150–$250
- Season adjustment
- ×1
An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.
Where the money goes
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | $58 | $108 | $215 |
| Eat | $16 | $32 | $63 |
| Do | $0 | $10 | $50 |
| Categories combined | $74 | $150 | $328 |
Category figures are typical daily spends; the tier totals above them include everyday extras, so the two need not match to the unit.
Everyday prices
- Prices
- [{"good_id":1,"item_name":"Price per square meter to Buy Apartment Outside of City Center","category_id":1,"category_name":"Buy Apartment","min":1021.67,"avg":1126.76,"max":1614.59,"usd":{"min":"1021.67","avg":"1126.76","max":"1614.59"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":2,"item_name":"Price per square meter to Buy Apartment in City Center","category_id":1,"category_name":"Buy Apartment","min":1663.92,"avg":2624.94,"max":4796.39,"usd":{"min":"1663.92","avg":"2624.94","max":"4796.39"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":3,"item_name":"International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":8500,"avg":9250,"max":10000,"usd":{"min":"8500.00","avg":"9250.00","max":"10000.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":4,"item_name":"Private Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly for 1 Child","category_id":2,"category_name":"Childcare","min":600,"avg":730.5,"max":861,"usd":{"min":"600.00","avg":"730.50","max":"861.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":5,"item_name":"Pair of Jeans in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":25,"avg":38.67,"max":52.34,"usd":{"min":"25.00","avg":"38.67","max":"52.34"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":6,"item_name":"Pair of Leather Business Shoes","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":50,"avg":72.86,"max":100,"usd":{"min":"50.00","avg":"72.86","max":"100.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":7,"item_name":"Pair of Running Shoes, Mid-Range Price","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":50,"avg":68.33,"max":86.66,"usd":{"min":"50.00","avg":"68.33","max":"86.66"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":9,"item_name":"Apples, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2.76,"avg":4.79,"max":6.82,"usd":{"min":"2.76","avg":"4.79","max":"6.82"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":10,"item_name":"Banana, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":0.97,"avg":1.1,"max":1.3,"usd":{"min":"0.97","avg":"1.10","max":"1.30"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":11,"item_name":"Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat, 1 kg ","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":6.61,"avg":10.74,"max":14.97,"usd":{"min":"6.61","avg":"10.74","max":"14.97"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":12,"item_name":"Bottle of Wine, Mid-Range Price","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":8,"avg":12,"max":16,"usd":{"min":"8.00","avg":"12.00","max":"16.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":13,"item_name":"Chicken Breasts, Boneless and Skinless, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":4.41,"avg":9.5,"max":14.59,"usd":{"min":"4.41","avg":"9.50","max":"14.59"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":14,"item_name":"Domestic Beer, 0.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.31,"avg":1.93,"max":2.86,"usd":{"min":"1.31","avg":"1.93","max":"2.86"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":15,"item_name":"Eggs, 12 pack","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":0.88,"avg":2.29,"max":4,"usd":{"min":"0.88","avg":"2.29","max":"4.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":17,"item_name":"Lettuce, 1 head","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.19,"avg":1.74,"max":2.29,"usd":{"min":"1.19","avg":"1.74","max":"2.29"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":18,"item_name":"Loaf of Fresh White Bread, 0.5 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.09,"avg":2.8,"max":4.51,"usd":{"min":"1.09","avg":"2.80","max":"4.51"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":19,"item_name":"Local Cheese, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":8.82,"avg":12.65,"max":22,"usd":{"min":"8.82","avg":"12.65","max":"22.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":20,"item_name":"Milk, Regular,1 liter","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":0.68,"avg":0.97,"max":1.26,"usd":{"min":"0.68","avg":"0.97","max":"1.26"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":21,"item_name":"Onion, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.1,"avg":2.84,"max":4.58,"usd":{"min":"1.10","avg":"2.84","max":"4.58"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":22,"item_name":"Oranges, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2.18,"avg":3.79,"max":8.27,"usd":{"min":"2.18","avg":"3.79","max":"8.27"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":23,"item_name":"Pack of Cigarettes","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":6.97,"avg":7,"max":9.25,"usd":{"min":"6.97","avg":"7.00","max":"9.25"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":24,"item_name":"Potato, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":0.88,"avg":1.59,"max":5.51,"usd":{"min":"0.88","avg":"1.59","max":"5.51"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":25,"item_name":"White Rice, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":2.18,"avg":3.26,"max":8.82,"usd":{"min":"2.18","avg":"3.26","max":"8.82"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":26,"item_name":"Tomato, 1 kg","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":3.31,"avg":5.54,"max":7.77,"usd":{"min":"3.31","avg":"5.54","max":"7.77"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":27,"item_name":"Water, 1.5 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.33,"avg":1.75,"max":2.17,"usd":{"min":"1.33","avg":"1.75","max":"2.17"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":28,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment outside of city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":625,"avg":858.23,"max":1091.46,"usd":{"min":"625.00","avg":"858.23","max":"1091.46"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":29,"item_name":"One bedroom apartment in city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":800,"avg":979.04,"max":1158.08,"usd":{"min":"800.00","avg":"979.04","max":"1158.08"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":30,"item_name":"Three bedroom apartment outside of city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":1000,"avg":1189.86,"max":1379.72,"usd":{"min":"1000.00","avg":"1189.86","max":"1379.72"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":31,"item_name":"Three bedroom apartment in city centre","category_id":5,"category_name":"Rent Per Month","min":1300,"avg":1612.57,"max":2000,"usd":{"min":"1300.00","avg":"1612.57","max":"2000.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":32,"item_name":"Cappuccino","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":1.5,"avg":3.98,"max":6.46,"usd":{"min":"1.50","avg":"3.98","max":"6.46"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":33,"item_name":"Coca-Cola, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":1.5,"avg":1.88,"max":2.26,"usd":{"min":"1.50","avg":"1.88","max":"2.26"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":34,"item_name":"Domestic Beer, 0.5 liter Draught","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":2.5,"avg":4.12,"max":6,"usd":{"min":"2.50","avg":"4.12","max":"6.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":35,"item_name":"Imported Beer, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":4.5,"avg":5,"max":5.5,"usd":{"min":"4.50","avg":"5.00","max":"5.50"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":36,"item_name":"McMeal at McDonalds or Alternative Combo Meal","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":7,"avg":7.5,"max":9,"usd":{"min":"7.00","avg":"7.50","max":"9.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":37,"item_name":"Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":30,"avg":42.5,"max":64.2,"usd":{"min":"30.00","avg":"42.50","max":"64.20"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":38,"item_name":"Meal in Inexpensive Restaurant","category_id":6,"category_name":"Restaurants","min":10,"avg":14,"max":20,"usd":{"min":"10.00","avg":"14.00","max":"20.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":40,"item_name":"Average Monthly Net Salary, After Tax","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":2943.36,"avg":3270.4,"max":3597.44,"usd":{"min":"2943.36","avg":"3270.40","max":"3597.44"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":42,"item_name":"Cinema ticket, 1 Seat","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":10,"avg":11.5,"max":20,"usd":{"min":"10.00","avg":"11.50","max":"20.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":43,"item_name":"Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":12.5,"avg":34.22,"max":75,"usd":{"min":"12.50","avg":"34.22","max":"75.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":44,"item_name":"Tennis Court Rent, 1 Hour on Weekend","category_id":8,"category_name":"Sports And Leisure","min":15,"avg":20,"max":25,"usd":{"min":"15.00","avg":"20.00","max":"25.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":45,"item_name":"Gasoline, 1 liter","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":0.45,"avg":0.59,"max":0.78,"usd":{"min":"0.45","avg":"0.59","max":"0.78"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":46,"item_name":"Monthly Pass, Regular Price","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":43.2,"avg":48,"max":52.8,"usd":{"min":"43.20","avg":"48.00","max":"52.80"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":47,"item_name":"One-way Ticket, Local Transport","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":1.57,"avg":1.75,"max":1.93,"usd":{"min":"1.57","avg":"1.75","max":"1.93"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":48,"item_name":"Taxi, price for 1 hour Waiting, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":22.5,"avg":25,"max":27.5,"usd":{"min":"22.50","avg":"25.00","max":"27.50"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":49,"item_name":"Taxi, price for 1 km, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":1.12,"avg":1.24,"max":1.36,"usd":{"min":"1.12","avg":"1.24","max":"1.36"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":50,"item_name":"Taxi Start, Normal Tariff","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":1.8,"avg":2,"max":2.2,"usd":{"min":"1.80","avg":"2.00","max":"2.20"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":52,"item_name":"Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)","category_id":9,"category_name":"Transportation","min":20000,"avg":20870,"max":21740,"usd":{"min":"20000.00","avg":"20870.00","max":"21740.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":53,"item_name":"Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local, price per 1 min, No Discounts or Plans","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":0.17,"avg":0.19,"max":0.21,"usd":{"min":"0.17","avg":"0.19","max":"0.21"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":54,"item_name":"Basic utilities for 85 square meter Apartment including Electricity, Heating or Cooling, Water and Garbage","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":119,"avg":160.62,"max":202.24,"usd":{"min":"119.00","avg":"160.62","max":"202.24"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":55,"item_name":"Internet, 60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL","category_id":10,"category_name":"Utilities Per Month","min":55,"avg":75.55,"max":96.1,"usd":{"min":"55.00","avg":"75.55","max":"96.10"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":58,"item_name":"Water, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1,"avg":1.28,"max":2,"usd":{"min":"1.00","avg":"1.28","max":"2.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":64,"item_name":"Summer Dress in a Chain Store Like George, H&M, Zara, etc.","category_id":3,"category_name":"Clothing And Shoes","min":22,"avg":33.28,"max":44.56,"usd":{"min":"22.00","avg":"33.28","max":"44.56"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"},{"good_id":65,"item_name":"Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages for 20 Years Fixed-Rate, Yearly, Fixed-Rate","category_id":7,"category_name":"Salaries And Financing","min":3.53,"avg":3.92,"max":4.31,"measure":"percent"},{"good_id":68,"item_name":"Imported Beer, 0.33 liter Bottle","category_id":4,"category_name":"Markets","min":1.41,"avg":2.08,"max":3,"usd":{"min":"1.41","avg":"2.08","max":"3.00"},"measure":"money","currency_code":"USD"}]
- Currency
- USD
- Exchange rate
- $1
Typical prices at the time of research, in USD; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.
Prices through the year
- Low×0.85
- High×1.15
- Shoulder×0.95
Stretch your budget
Ways to save
- Stay in budget hotels or motels outside the most expensive downtown blocks
- Use DART transit or walking between central sights instead of stacking rideshare costs
- Use diners, food trucks, and grocery runs instead of restaurant-heavy days
- Build the trip around free parks, the Capitol, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park between paid attractions
- Travel in spring or autumn for better room value than peak summer event weeks
Budget tips
- Des Moines is one of the easier U.S. city breaks to keep affordable if you stay outside the priciest downtown pockets, use public transport, and build your days around free parks, the Capitol, and the sculpture park between a few paid stops.
Worth the splurge
- Stay at the boutique Kimpton Hotel or Hotel Fort Des Moines downtown.
- Dine at upscale restaurants like Centro or Alba for gourmet farm-to-table menus.
- Book a private limo brewery tour of Confluence or Exile Brewing.
- Take a scenic charter flightseeing tour over the Des Moines River valley.
Free things to do
- Free walking tour
- Public parks
- Local markets
Frequently asked questions
How expensive is Des Moines?
Daily costs €70–€110 per person (budget lodging, public transport, street food).
Best money-saving tips?
Use the free attractions (state capitol tours, Pappajohn Sculpture Park), rely on city buses or bike‐share, eat at food trucks, and take advantage of hotel happy hours.
Average meal cost?
Budget €10 (cafés/food trucks), mid-range €15 (casual sit-down), fine dining €30+.
Safety?
Des Moines is generally safe; downtown and East Village are well policed. Exercise usual precautions at night and keep valuables out of sight.
Planning the trip? Read the full Des Moines guide.
Budget