Ankeny vs West Des Moines
A side-by-side look at two Des Moines metro areas buyers often weigh against each other — current values, rents, market pace, and demographics.
Side by side
| Metric | Ankeny | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $342,159 | $326,596 |
| Value change, past year | +1.3% | +0.8% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,520 | $1,369 |
| Homes for sale | 409 | 363 |
| Median days to pending | 18 days | 20 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 31% | 29% |
| Median household income | $108,198 | $86,594 |
| Homeownership | 71% | 57% |
| Population | 72,615 | 71,083 |
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year). Cheaper figure highlighted where the two differ.
What the numbers say
- West Des Moines is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 5% below Ankeny.
- Renting is cheaper in West Des Moines, which matters if you plan to rent for a year before buying.
- Homes go under contract faster in Ankeny, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in West Des Moines.
- Ankeny has the higher median household income of the two.
The character of each
Ankeny
The north metro's growth engine — new construction, new retail, and a lot of young families.
West Des Moines
The metro's retail and dining hub, with established and brand-new neighborhoods.
Schools
Ankeny: Served by the Ankeny Community School District, which operates two high schools. Boundaries have shifted repeatedly with growth, so confirm for a specific address rather than a neighborhood.
West Des Moines: Primarily served by the West Des Moines Community School District, with parts in the Waukee and Clive areas attending neighboring districts. Confirm the exact attendance boundary for any specific address.
Getting around
Ankeny: Straight down I-35 to downtown Des Moines, typically 20–25 minutes outside of peak. Rush hour on I-35 southbound is the main constraint.
West Des Moines: Quick access to I-35/80 and the Jordan Creek Parkway corridor; roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown Des Moines outside of rush hour.
Figures are area-wide typicals, not a valuation of any specific home. Verify school boundaries, property taxes, and current prices by address. Not real-estate or financial advice.