Cost of Living in West Des Moines
West Des Moines' cost of living centers on genuinely above-average housing and rent, offset by a property tax rate that runs modestly below Iowa's own statewide median.
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Learn moreAbove-average housing and rent
West Des Moines' median sale price ran approximately $328,000 (up 4.8% YoY), and average rent ran approximately $1,575/month -- both genuinely above the cited national rent average of $1,444/month.
A property tax rate modestly below Iowa's own median
West Des Moines' effective property tax rate ran approximately 1.53% -- modestly below Iowa's own statewide median (~1.55%), though the city's real four-county, six-school-district footprint means a specific address can run higher (up to ~1.58% in one cited ZIP).
Iowa's real, current flat income tax
Iowa's flat state income tax rate runs 3.8% (2026) on all taxable income, with a combined 7% sales tax (6% state base plus West Des Moines' 1% local-option tax).
Key takeaways
- West Des Moines' housing and rent both run genuinely above Iowa statewide and national averages.
- The effective property tax rate (~1.53%) runs modestly below Iowa's own statewide median.
- Iowa's flat 3.8% income tax and 7% combined sales tax apply here as statewide.
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