Your guide to buying a home in the Des Moines metro.
Compare 12 Des Moines metro areas side by side on home values, rents, and market pace — plus neighborhood guides, schools, commutes, and a free buy-vs-rent calculator.
Des Moines metro housing market
Source: Realtor.com via FRED (metro); Zillow Research (value/rent); U.S. Census ACS (demographics) · Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA · updated September 2026.
Explore neighborhoods
Des Moines
The capital city itself — historic neighborhoods and the metro's most affordable entry point.
West Des Moines
The metro's retail and dining hub, with established and brand-new neighborhoods.
Waukee
One of Iowa's fastest-growing cities — lots of new construction and young families.
Urbandale
Established, central, and well-connected — mature neighborhoods at a range of prices.
Clive
A quiet, well-kept residential community wrapped around the Greenbelt Trail.
Ankeny
The north metro's growth engine — new construction, new retail, and a lot of young families.
Johnston
Quiet, established, and anchored by a well-regarded school district near Saylorville Lake.
Altoona
The metro's entertainment corner — and one of its more affordable growing suburbs.
Grimes
Fast-growing northwest suburb with heavy new construction and small-town roots.
Indianola
A genuine small college town south of the metro, with a longer commute and lower prices.
Norwalk
A growing south-metro city that has stayed closer to town than Indianola.
Pleasant Hill
A quiet east-metro city bordering Des Moines, with lake and trail access.
Plan your move
Buy vs Rent calculator → · Full market data → · Renting in the metro →