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Polk County · Iowa · Midwest · 212k residents

Des Moines, IA: cost of living, taxes & quality of life

Residential facts for Des Moines: housing, taxes, monthly costs, climate, schools, and household income, with the Iowa median as the yardstick. Compare it live against any of 3,000 US cities.

Data coverage: Curated city row; coverage varies by fact.

The median home value in Des Moines is $220,000, 8% below the Iowa median. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,300/mo. Day-to-day costs index at 88 against a national baseline of 100. The median household here earns $62,000 a year.

What the numbers show

Source-confirmed findings

Limited coverage: This profile does not yet have enough source-confirmed local data for a city brief.

This profile does not yet have enough source-confirmed local data for a city brief.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates(2024 ACS 5-year; tables B01003, B15003, B19013, B25077). Geography: Census place where available. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

WhereToHQ calculates the comparisons. Figures are estimates for context, not a guarantee or personal financial advice. Read the methodology or send a correction.

What makes this place distinctive

A factual snapshot of the place, based on the profile data. It is not a tourism or cultural claim.

A compact capital where state government, public art, and a serious farmers market shape the city.

Known for: State government, insurance, sculpture parks, trails, and farm-to-table food.

Calendar note: The Iowa State Fair is the region’s defining annual event.

Story source: Catch Des Moines

  • Scale: A mid-sized city with a population between 50,000 and 250,000 in the profile data.
  • Setting: The profile places Des Moines about 229 miles from the nearest tracked lake.
  • Climate signal: The profile records 204 sunny days and 37 inches of annual snow.
  • Daily pace: The profile records a walk score of 45 and an average commute of 19 minutes.

WhereToHQ derives these signals from the committed city dataset. Read the methodology for coverage and source limits.

Compare Des Moines for residents

Compare Des Moines side by side

Cost of living index

88

cheaper than 74% of US cities

Median home value

$220,000

−8.2% vs state mediancheaper than 79% of US cities

2-bedroom rent

$1,300/mo

cheaper than 64% of US cities

Median household income

$62,000

−10% vs state medianhigher than 23% of US cities

Housing momentum

How fast Des Moines's housing market is moving, ranked against the US cities we track.

41/100

Steady

Home prices YoY: +0.4% (bottom 40%)Home prices MoM: -0.4% (bottom 16%)Rents MoM: +0.1% (near US average)
Momentum slowing · −16 over 2 yr

Ranks Des Moines's home-price and rent growth against the US cities we cover. The label is relative pace, not a direction, so a market can rank low while some figures still rise. A higher score moves faster, it is not cheaper or better. Not investment or relocation advice.

$a year

Adjusted by Des Moines's cost-of-living index versus the US average.

All facets · Des Moines
Housing — Buy
Median home value$220,000
Price per sq. ft.$145
Property tax rate1.8%
Housing — Rent
1-bedroom rent$1,050/mo
2-bedroom rent$1,300/mo
Taxes
State & local income tax5.3%
Sales tax7%
Monthly Costs
Cost of living index88
Groceries index94
Utilities$155/mo
Transit pass$58/mo
Gas price$2.90/gal
Healthcare index95
Childcare (per child)$1,050/mo
Economy & Jobs
Median household income$62,000
Unemployment rate3%
Population212k
Quality of Life
Crime index45/100
School rating6.0/10
Walkability45/100
Disaster risk92/100
Avg. commute19 min
Climate
Sunny days / year204 days
July high86°F
January low14°F
Annual snowfall37 in
Market Trends
Home price YoY+0.4%
Home price MoM-0.4%
Rent YoY+2.4%
Rent MoM+0.1%
Location & Access
Ocean coast811 mi
Big lake229 mi
Mountains318 mi
Major airport6 mi
Ski resort263 mi
Compare & explore

Popular comparisons

Nearby

Similar size

Real listings in Des Moines

Homes on Zillow ↗Realtor.com ↗Rentals on Zillow ↗Apartments.com ↗

Links open third-party listing searches. WhereToHQ has no paid relationship with these sites.

Questions & answers
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines indexes at 88 for day-to-day costs against a national baseline of 100, with a typical two-bedroom renting for $1,300/mo and a median home value of $220,000.
How much does a house cost in Des Moines?
The median home value in Des Moines is $220,000, 8% below the Iowa median (compiled estimate; individual listings vary).
How much is rent in Des Moines?
A two-bedroom in Des Moines rents for about $1,300/mo.