Johnston vs Waukee
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 | Johnston | Waukee |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $403,139 | $343,420 |
| Value change, past year | +0.6% | -1.9% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,382 | $1,665 |
| Homes for sale | 125 | 200 |
| Median days to pending | 19 days | 22 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 24% | 28% |
| Median household income | $106,551 | $101,029 |
| Homeownership | 71% | 67% |
| Population | 24,384 | 29,236 |
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
- Waukee is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 15% below Johnston.
- Renting is cheaper in Johnston, which matters if you plan to rent for a year before buying.
- Homes go under contract faster in Johnston, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in Waukee.
The character of each
Johnston
Quiet, established, and anchored by a well-regarded school district near Saylorville Lake.
Waukee
One of Iowa's fastest-growing cities — lots of new construction and young families.
Schools
Johnston: Primarily the Johnston Community School District, which is a significant part of the area's appeal to families. Edges of the city fall into neighboring districts — verify by address.
Waukee: Served by the Waukee Community School District, one of the state's largest and fastest-growing, which now operates multiple high schools. Verify the boundary for a given neighborhood, as they shift with growth.
Getting around
Johnston: Northwest metro with access via I-35/80 and Merle Hay Road; roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown outside of peak.
Waukee: West-metro location with access via University Ave, Hickman Rd, and I-80; budget extra time to reach downtown during peak hours.
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.