Des Moines 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 | Des Moines | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $213,036 | $326,596 |
| Value change, past year | +0.1% | +0.8% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,121 | $1,369 |
| Homes for sale | 1,003 | 363 |
| Median days to pending | 15 days | 20 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 29% | 29% |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $86,594 |
| Homeownership | 60% | 57% |
| Population | 212,421 | 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
- Des Moines is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 35% below West Des Moines.
- Renting is cheaper in Des Moines, which matters if you plan to rent for a year before buying.
- Homes go under contract faster in Des Moines, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in West Des Moines.
- West Des Moines has the higher median household income of the two.
- Des Moines is substantially larger than West Des Moines — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
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.
Schools
Des Moines: Mostly Des Moines Public Schools, the largest district in Iowa, though the city's edges fall into neighboring districts. Attendance boundaries vary considerably within the city — verify by address.
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
Des Moines: The shortest commutes in the metro to downtown, with I-235 running through the city east–west. Many neighborhoods are within 10–15 minutes of the core.
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.