The story of this market
The typical home in Des Moines, Iowa sells for about $225,750, or $200 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.7% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 24 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,250 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+1.5%
IA · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines housing market remains stable with modest price appreciation and consistent demand. While inventory levels are tight, the city's affordability relative to the national average continues to attract buyers. Market conditions are driven by a solid local economy and steady population interest in the urban core.
1 verified foreclosure posting(s) on the ARED county ledger attributed to Des Moines across its counties. Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the published ten-year series (2025) (within 12.5%).
Deterministic aggregate of 12 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved up 3.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 34 days on market with 3.7 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
4% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.73% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
1 foreclosure-ledger notice — 0.0 per 10,000 residents · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 13.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
- Adventureland Park4.37.8 mi
- Spare Time Des Moines4.210.2 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.27.7 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park4.310.3 mi
- B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling4.58.7 mi
- Iowa State Fairgrounds4.63.3 mi
- Adventureland Park4.37.8 mi
- Casey's Center4.50.3 mi
- Iowa Events Center4.50.3 mi
- Center Grove Orchard4.721.2 mi
- Adventureland Park4.37.8 mi
- Blank Park Zoo4.54.8 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.80.7 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.70.5 mi
- The Palms Theatres & IMAX4.713 mi
- Iowa State Capitol4.80.7 mi
- Science Center of Iowa4.40.5 mi
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park4.61 mi
- Des Moines Art Center4.63.4 mi
- Hoyt Sherman Place4.81.1 mi
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden4.70.5 mi
- Raccoon River Park4.76.2 mi
- Prairie Ridge Sports Complex4.510.7 mi
- Waukee Triumph Park4.614.2 mi
- ARL Animal Rescue League of Iowa4.35.1 mi
- Captain Roy's4.61.5 mi
- Saylorville Lake Marina4.712.4 mi
- Big Creek Marina4.617.2 mi
- Grays Lake4.71.9 mi
- Jester Park4.715.4 mi
- Terrace Hills Golf Course4.410.4 mi
- Jester Park Golf Course4.415.6 mi
- Beaver Creek Golf Club3.912.1 mi
- Toad Valley Golf Course4.29 mi
- Jordan Creek Town Center4.59.8 mi
- Outlets of Des Moines4.37 mi
- Merle Hay Mall45.2 mi
- Fleet Farm4.612.1 mi
- Des Moines International Airport4.34.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A world-class art museum featuring contemporary collections and educational programs that anchor the city's cultural scene.
A scenic multi-use trail system along the Des Moines River that serves as a central recreational hub for residents.
A vibrant district known for its historic architecture, boutique shopping, and diverse dining options near the State Capitol.
A large community park offering green space and recreational facilities that enhance local property appeal.
Des Moines is an ideal fit for families seeking affordable homeownership, young professionals drawn to the growing downtown job market, and investors looking for stable, long-term rental demand. The city offers a balanced lifestyle with urban amenities and suburban accessibility, making it attractive to a wide demographic.
The Des Moines Public Schools district serves the city with a diverse range of educational offerings, including specialized magnet programs and vocational training. While performance varies across individual campuses, the district is actively working on curriculum improvements and facility upgrades to enhance student outcomes.
The city is served by a network of major highways including I-235, which facilitates regional connectivity. Public transit is provided by DART, offering bus services throughout the metropolitan area.
Des Moines offers a robust amenity base featuring an extensive park system, the Des Moines Art Center, and the popular Principal Riverwalk. Residents enjoy access to diverse shopping and dining districts, including the Historic East Village and Court Avenue, which serve as central social hubs.
The rental market in Des Moines remains competitive, driven by a steady demand from young professionals and students. Vacancy rates are generally low, and while new multi-family developments are entering the market, rent growth has remained moderate compared to national trends.
Des Moines is a major center for the insurance and financial services sectors, hosting numerous corporate headquarters. The economy is characterized by stability and a diverse mix of government, healthcare, and education employers.
Des Moines serves as a major hub for the insurance and financial services industries, providing a stable economic foundation. Ongoing infrastructure projects and downtown revitalization efforts continue to attract new businesses and residents, supporting steady long-term growth.
The city is currently focused on infill development and the revitalization of older commercial corridors. Major projects include mixed-use residential developments aimed at increasing housing density near the urban core.
Parcels in Des Moines are subject to various taxing districts, including the Des Moines Independent Community School District and local municipal service districts. Special assessments may apply for specific infrastructure improvements in certain neighborhoods.
Des Moines experiences crime rates that are generally higher than the national average, with property crime being the most prevalent concern. Local law enforcement continues to focus on community-based policing initiatives to address these trends, which remain consistent with other mid-sized Midwestern urban centers.
The city faces moderate risks from severe weather, including thunderstorms and occasional flooding near the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Property owners are encouraged to maintain adequate insurance coverage, as the region is susceptible to wind and hail damage common in the Midwest.
The property insurance market in Des Moines is stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe weather events. Homeowners are advised to maintain comprehensive coverage for wind and water damage.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this city's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov; figures reflect city-level estimates.
The federal school roster could not be retrieved on the last refresh — no list is shown rather than an unverified one. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.