Who Should NOT Move to Des Moines?
Des Moines probably is not the right fit for movers who require a citywide crime rate at or below the national average as a non-negotiable requirement, anyone specifically averse to an above-median property tax burden, or anyone who requires steady year-over-year city-proper population growth as a hard filter.
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Learn moreMovers Requiring a Low Crime Rate as a Hard, Non-Negotiable Filter
This record's own honestly-disclosed crime data (NeighborhoodScout cites Des Moines' overall and violent crime rates as among the highest in the nation, with more than 99% of Iowa communities running lower) means Des Moines probably is not the right fit for movers who require a citywide crime rate at or below the national average as a hard, non-negotiable filter -- even though a separate source cites a genuinely conflicting, lower figure this record does not resolve.
Movers Specifically Averse to an Above-Median Property Tax Burden
Ownwell's own cited effective property tax rate for Des Moines (approximately 1.87%) runs above both the Iowa statewide median (~1.55%) and the national median (~1.02%) -- movers who specifically prioritize a low property tax burden as a hard filter may find this real, disclosed trade-off a genuine mismatch, even alongside Des Moines' genuinely affordable citywide home values and low state income tax.
Movers Who Require Steady City-Proper Population Growth as a Hard Filter
Des Moines' own city-proper population ran essentially flat to modestly DOWN from the 2020 Census (214,133) to a cited 2024 estimate (approximately 212,421) -- movers who specifically require evidence of steady city-proper population growth, rather than relying on the broader metro's own real, substantial growth, may find this real, disclosed distinction a genuine mismatch.
Movers Who Want to Live Car-Free Without Confirming Current Transit Coverage
DART, Des Moines' public-transit system, is real, currently implementing route reductions under a 2026 'Reimagine DART' redesign driven by funding pressure -- movers who want to live entirely car-free without confirming current, specific route coverage directly for a target address should understand this real, current, genuinely negative transit trend before committing.
Movers Averse to Real, Seasonal Severe-Weather and Tornado Risk
Des Moines carries real, genuine seasonal tornado risk (the metro averages roughly 5 tornadoes per year within 50 miles, concentrated in the April-June severe-weather season) alongside real, currently rising homeowners-insurance rates tied to hail and storm claims -- movers specifically averse to this real, seasonal hazard exposure and its real cost implications may find Des Moines a genuine mismatch.
Key takeaways
- Des Moines probably is not the right fit for movers requiring a citywide crime rate at or below the national average as a hard, non-negotiable filter.
- Movers specifically averse to an above-median property tax burden should understand Ownwell's own cited ~1.87% Des Moines-specific effective rate.
- Movers requiring steady city-proper population growth as a hard filter should understand Des Moines' own real, disclosed flat-to-declining 2020-2024 city population.
- Movers who want to live car-free without confirming current transit coverage should understand DART's real, current 2026 route reductions.
- Movers averse to real, seasonal tornado risk and its real, currently rising homeowners-insurance cost implications may find Des Moines a genuine mismatch.
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