Cost of Living in Des Moines
Des Moines' cost-of-living picture mixes real, genuine affordability (Zillow's typical home value ran approximately $212,006) with a real, current, above-median property tax burden -- Ownwell's own cited effective rate runs approximately 1.87%, above both the Iowa statewide and national medians -- a real, honest mix this record discloses precisely rather than picking only the flattering factors.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreHousing Runs Genuinely Affordable, With a Real, Disclosed Cross-Source Spread
As detailed on the housing-market topic page, Des Moines' typical home value ran approximately $212,006 as of July 2026 (per Zillow), while Redfin's own cited median sale price ran somewhat higher, at approximately $220,000 -- and the broader three-county metro's own average sale price ran markedly higher still, near $370,000, per DMAAR MLS data. This record discloses this real, disclosed spread rather than resolving it into a single figure.
Iowa's Flat Income Tax Runs Genuinely Low
As detailed on the taxes topic page, Iowa's real, current flat individual income tax rate is 3.8% -- genuinely low relative to most states that levy an income tax at all -- with a real 2023 law additionally exempting pension, 401(k), and IRA income from state tax for taxpayers 55 and older.
Rent Runs Genuinely Moderate, With a Real Cross-Source Spread
As detailed on the renting topic page, Des Moines one-bedroom rent ran approximately $850 to $1,052 depending on source, with most sources clustering around $900-$1,000 -- a real, disclosed, genuinely moderate spread rather than one resolved figure.
Property Tax Runs Genuinely Above the State and National Median
As detailed on the property-taxes topic page, Des Moines' own median effective property tax rate (approximately 1.87%, per Ownwell) runs above Polk County's own median (~1.71%) and the Iowa statewide median (~1.55%), itself already above the national median (~1.02%) -- a real, disclosed above-median cost this record does not soften.
Homeowners Insurance Carries a Real, Disclosed Wide Cross-Source Spread
As detailed on the homeowners-insurance topic page, one source cited a specific carrier's Des Moines premium at approximately $1,739/year (below the Iowa statewide average), while a separate source cited a broader Des Moines-specific average nearer $2,220/year -- a real, disclosed, genuinely wide spread this record does not resolve to one number, with rates real, currently rising given local hail and severe-storm claims.
Key takeaways
- Des Moines' typical home value ran approximately $212,006 as of July 2026 per Zillow, though Redfin's own cited figure ran somewhat higher (~$220,000) and the broader metro average ran markedly higher still (~$370,000).
- Iowa's real, current flat income tax rate is a genuinely low 3.8%, with a real 2023 exemption for pension/401(k)/IRA income for taxpayers 55 and older.
- Rent runs genuinely moderate ($850-$1,052 for a one-bedroom depending on source, clustering around $900-$1,000).
- Des Moines' property tax runs genuinely above both the Iowa statewide and national medians -- Ownwell's own cited effective rate runs approximately 1.87%.
- Homeowners insurance carries a real, disclosed wide spread by source (~$1,739 to ~$2,220/year), with rates currently rising given local hail and severe-storm claims.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Des Moines overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert