City profile
Des Moines, IA
Friendly, affordable Midwestern capital with a sculpture park and farmers market.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
22°F
Summer avg
76°F
Sunny days / yr
200
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$230,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,704
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
90
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.43%
- State income tax (top)
- 3.8%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.94%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 92/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Tornado, Hail
Nearest major airport
4 mi to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 53% Democratic / 45% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
212,421
Growth since 2019
-1.5%
Median age
34.6
Residents 65+
12.5%
Median household income
$65,932
Income growth since 2019
+23.2%
Black household income
$44,277
Home ownership
60.5%
Poverty rate
15.0%
Poverty rate, 65+
11.3%
Race & ethnicity: Black 11.1% · White 61.0% · Hispanic 16.3% · Asian 6.6% · Other 5.1%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
642 · 95% above the national average
Property crime
2,838 · 83% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Des Moines Police Department. State average: violent 238, property 1,205.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hail, derechos
Highlights
- Very affordable
- Downtown farmers market
- Easy commutes
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Insurance rising from hail
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.