Cost of living in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 46% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 272 prices entered by 14 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 32% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $18 (C$25) | C$23 | + 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (C$16) | C$13 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.93 (C$7) | C$6 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.06 (C$1.48) | C$2.41 | - 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.56 (C$4.97) | C$4.70 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.44 (C$6) | C$3.95 | + 57% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (C$10) | C$11 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.56 (C$4.97) | C$4.85 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.92 (C$4.08) | C$3.95 | + 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 (C$9) | C$3.50 | + 156% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $19 (C$26) | C$20 | + 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.80 (C$3.91) | C$2.68 | + 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.69 (C$3.76) | C$2.16 | + 74% | |
| Housing | + 39% | |||
| Housing in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 39% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,727 (C$2,413) | C$2,300 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,266 (C$1,769) | C$1,599 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $96 (C$134) | C$120 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,332 (C$1,861) | C$1,347 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,035 (C$1,447) | C$985 | + 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $166 (C$232) | C$69 | + 238% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $72 (C$101) | C$60 | + 68% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $360 (C$504) | C$311 | + 62% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $123 (C$171) | C$140 | + 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (C$19) | C$10 | + 86% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 (C$53) | C$26 | + 102% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 42% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 (C$79) | C$70 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (C$72) | C$41 | + 75% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 (C$132) | C$105 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $118 (C$165) | C$120 | + 37% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 20% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,692 (C$41,493) | C$24,609 | + 69% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.98 (C$1.37) | C$1.69 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $52 (C$72) | C$60 | + 21% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $94 (C$132) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 65% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (C$13) | C$8 | + 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (C$20) | C$22 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $156 (C$218) | C$77 | + 184% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (C$12) | C$6 | + 82% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.05 (C$4.27) | C$4.17 | + 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.81 (C$8) | C$4.59 | + 77% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.90 (C$5.45) | C$3.11 | + 76% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.28 (C$3.19) | C$3.02 | + 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $24 (C$34) | C$22 | + 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 117% | |||
| Entertainment in Des Moines, Iowa (United States) is 117% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Des Moines, Iowa | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $48 (C$67) | C$61 | + 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (C$35) | C$27 | + 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $329 (C$460) | C$118 | + 289% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $148 (C$208) | C$97 | + 115% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $10 (C$14) | C$12 | + 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.21 (C$7) | C$4.71 | + 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.22 (C$5.89) | C$7 | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $513 (C$716) | C$647 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.99 (C$1.39) | C$0.24 | + 472% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $51 (C$71) | C$38 | + 85% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (C$14) | C$13 | + 10% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 46% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 272 prices entered by 14 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.397
CAD
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least C$9,812 ($7,021) in Des Moines, Iowa to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$6,700 in Abbotsford.
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