Buying a Home in Des Moines

The capital city itself — historic neighborhoods and the metro's most affordable entry point.

Des Moines is the state capital and the core of the metro, and it offers something the suburbs largely don't: genuine architectural variety at the metro's lowest typical price point. Neighborhoods range from the Victorian-era homes of Sherman Hill to the brick Tudors that give Beaverdale its name, to mid-century ranches on the north and south sides.

It's the practical choice for first-time buyers priced out of the western suburbs, and for anyone who wants walkability, older housing stock with character, and the shortest commute to downtown employers.

Highlights

Distinct historic neighborhoods — Sherman Hill, Beaverdale, Drake, South of Grand
The East Village: independent shops, restaurants, and bars near the Capitol
Downtown's skywalk system, Gray's Lake, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park
The metro's largest employment base, concentrated in insurance and finance

Des Moines by the numbers

Typical home value

$213,036

▲ 0.1% / yr

Typical rent / mo

$1,121

Homes for sale

1,003

Median days to pending

15 days

Listings with price cuts

29%

Median household income

$65,932

Homeownership

60%

Population

212,421

Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).

Send these numbers to whoever you're house-hunting with.

Browse current Des Moines listings on Zillow →

Schools

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.

Getting around

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.

Compare Des Moines

How it stacks up against the areas buyers most often weigh against it:

Metro context

Median listing price

$349,950

▼ 0.0% vs prior

Active listings

3,514

▲ 4.6% vs prior

Median days on market

59 days

▲ 3.5% vs prior

Source: Realtor.com via FRED (metro); Zillow Research (value/rent); U.S. Census ACS (demographics) · Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA · updated 2026-08.

Estimate buy vs rent for Des Moines →

General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.