Thinking About Moving to Des Moines, IA? | City & Cost of Living Guide | RealHomeIntel

City Intelligence

Thinking About The Des Moines, IA Area?

What it costs, how it lives, and what to check before you buy in Des Moines. Sourced from U.S. Census, HUD, NCES, FEMA, and FCC — aggregated across the whole city, not just one neighborhood.

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Livability Score

87/ 100

Strong across most livability factors.

Cost of LivingB

Housing MarketA-

EnvironmentB+

WeatherA+

Population

31,976

Median Home

$197K

Median Income

$73K

Zip Codes Covered

With a population of 31,976, Des Moines is a mid-sized IA city. Median household income is $73K with homes valued around $197K. The city scores highest in weather (A+).

Tends to fit: value-focused buyers.

Market Snapshot

Key housing and market metrics for Des Moines, IA. Use these numbers as a starting point, then dig into specific neighborhoods.

Median Home Value

$197K

Vacancy Rate

6.0%

Owner-Occupied

70%

ZIP Code Breakdown

Area stats for ZIP codes in Des Moines, sorted by population. Run a Real Report Card on a specific address for property-level detail.

50310

Area Stats

Pop: 31,976

Home Value: $197K

Des Moines Area Map

Get oriented — see where Des Moines sits and explore neighborhoods before you narrow in.

Nearby Areas

Explore the areas around Des Moines — pick one to dig into its market, schools, and neighborhoods.

Urbandale Area

Home: $248K3 mi away

Clive Area

Home: $359K5 mi away

Ankeny Area

Home: $293K7 mi away

Cedar Rapids Area

Home: $175K108 mi away

Marion Area

Home: $211K111 mi away

Schools Near Des Moines

Schools in and around Des Moines, organized by type. School assignments vary by address — always confirm with the district directly.

Elementary Schools (12)

Cattell Elementary School

Crocker Elementary School

Edmunds Elementary School

Findley Elementary School

Greenwood Elementary School

Hanawalt Elementary

Hillis Elementary School

Howe Elementary

Hubbell Elementary

King Elementary School

Madison Elementary School

McKinley Elementary School

Middle Schools (5)

Brody Middle School

Callanan Middle School

Downtown School

Harding Middle School

Meredith Middle School

High Schools (3)

East High School

Hoover High School

Lincoln High School

Private Schools (10)

AIRAZI ACADEMY

BERGMAN ACADEMY

COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL

DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Livability Grades

How Des Moines stacks up across six key categories.

Cost of LivingB

Housing MarketA-

EnvironmentB+

WeatherA+

AmenitiesA

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Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FEMA, EPA, NCES, NREL, HUD, FCC, NOAA, EIA, OpenStreetMap. Data represents the primary zip code for Des Moines and may not reflect all neighborhoods. Market conditions change frequently; this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute real estate advice. Last updated on a rolling basis.