Johnston 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 | Johnston | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $403,139 | $326,596 |
| Value change, past year | +0.6% | +0.8% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,382 | $1,369 |
| Homes for sale | 125 | 363 |
| Median days to pending | 19 days | 20 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 24% | 29% |
| Median household income | $106,551 | $86,594 |
| Homeownership | 71% | 57% |
| Population | 24,384 | 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 19% below Johnston.
- 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 Johnston, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in West Des Moines.
- Johnston has the higher median household income of the two.
- West Des Moines is substantially larger than Johnston — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
Johnston
Quiet, established, and anchored by a well-regarded school district near Saylorville Lake.
West Des Moines
The metro's retail and dining hub, with established and brand-new neighborhoods.
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.
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
Johnston: Northwest metro with access via I-35/80 and Merle Hay Road; roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown outside of peak.
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.