Living in Des Moines, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Des Moines · Census data 2020–2024
Des Moines has 212,421 residents with a median age of 34.6. The median household income is $65,932 (12% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $194,700, the median rent is $1,090/month.
Des Moines at a glance
- Population
- 212,421
- Median age
- 34.6State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $65,932State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $194,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,090/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 60.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.7%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Des Moines a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 6% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 15%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Des Moines
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Des Moines the median home value is $194,700, 41% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,090 per month, which is 29.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,485 a month in housing costs.
Des Moines median household income
The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932 and the income per person is $37,863. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Des Moines: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 97,604
- Owner-occupied
- 60.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.5%
- Vacant
- 7.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.30
Des Moines demographics
- Population
- 212,421
- Median age
- 34.6
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 12.7%
- Households
- 90,105
- Foreign-born
- 14.2%
- Veterans
- 5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Des Moines ›
Education in Des Moines
29.7% of adults 25 and older in Des Moines have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 9.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Des Moines
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 13.1%
- Drive alone
- 70.9%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Des Moines vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | $194,700 | $1,090 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $295,100 | $1,215 |
| Windsor Heights | 5,143 | $91,707 | $267,900 | $1,498 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | $303,100 | $838 |
| Saylorville | 3,366 | $117,821 | $314,300 | — |
| Carlisle | 4,255 | $109,191 | $234,300 | $1,000 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | $274,600 | $1,235 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | $1,237 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | $335,500 | $1,211 |
More for people moving to Des Moines
Des Moines ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Des Moines: FAQ
What is the median household income in Des Moines, IA?
The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932, 12% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Des Moines?
The median home value in Des Moines is $194,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Des Moines?
The median gross rent in Des Moines is $1,090 per month, about 29.6% of household income.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 6% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 5.6%; a poverty rate of 15%.
What is the median age in Des Moines?
The median age in Des Moines is 34.6 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Des Moines?
The average commute to work in Des Moines is 20 minutes; 13.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Des Moines?
The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Des Moines?
29.7% of adults in Des Moines have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: