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Des Moines, IA Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Des Moines, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Des Moines →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Des Moines's population is about 213,164. On income, the typical household clears $62,378 a year, running below the median household income across the cities we cover (-13%).

Expect a median home value of $170,700 in Des Moines, which runs below what we see across other cities (-48%). Median rent lands at $995/month — a useful baseline before comparing mortgage payments to rent.

Buying a typical home in Des Moines would take about 2.7 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Des Moines's home prices climbed 1.7% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Des Moines is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Des Moines

Median home value is $170,700 and median gross rent is $995/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for Polk rose 1.7% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,318/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Des Moines's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Des Moines reported a violent crime rate of 642 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.

Moving to Des Moines

Planning a move to Des Moines? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA?

Cost of living in Des Moines centers on housing: median home value runs $170,700, median rent runs $995/month, and the typical household earns $62,378 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Des Moines?

To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Des Moines, where median rent runs $995/month, you'd want to earn about $39,800 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Des Moines.

Is it better to rent or buy in Des Moines?

With a median home value of $170,700 and median rent of $995/month, renting comfortably in Des Moines takes about $39,800/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $39,055/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.

Is Des Moines safe?

Des Moines reported a violent crime rate of 642 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.

See the full salary breakdown for Des Moines →

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Des Moines's.