Salary comparison
Parts Salespersons: Des Moines vs Fargo
Des Moines, IA pays about 2.8% more for parts salespersons on paper — $48,850 vs $47,520. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Des Moines comes out ahead by $1,330 a year in real buying power.
Des Moines, IA
$48,850
$36,610
$60,170
$23.49
100
$48,850/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Fargo, ND
$47,520
$39,090
$59,620
$22.85
100
$47,520/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $1,330 a year (2.8%) in favor of Des Moines. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Des Moines runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Fargo sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Des Moines is the better deal by $1,330 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Fargo to Des Moines for this role, the raise needs to beat 2.8% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do parts salespersons earn more, Des Moines or Fargo?
Des Moines pays $48,850 on median — about 2.8% more than Fargo ($47,520). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Des Moines. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Des Moines gives you roughly$48,850 of real buying power versus $47,520 in the other city.