In Des Moines, a typical home is worth $194,700 and typical rent is $1,090 a month. Compared with all of Polk County, the typical home value is 26% lower, typical household income is 21% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $173,318 to $208,053.
Typical rent
$1,129a month
▲ 1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $983 to $1,129.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Des Moines is in Polk County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Polk County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Norwalk, the typical rent is $838: 23% less than in Des Moines ($1,090).
2
The typical home in Des Moines is worth $194,700,26% less than in Polk County as a whole ($262,100).
3
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Des Moines barely changed; in Iowa, it rose 3.3%.
4
The typical household income in Des Moines is $65,932,21% less than in Polk County as a whole ($83,576).
5
60% of households in Des Moines own their home, against 67% in Polk County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Des Moines
What homes there are in Des Moines, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
62%
63%
72%
61%
Attached house
4%
8%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
5%
4%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
27%
24%
14%
19%
Mobile home
3%
2%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Des Moines, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses, about the same as in Polk County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
49%
28%
38%
26%
1960–1979
21%
20%
24%
24%
1980–1999
13%
21%
17%
25%
2000–2009
7%
14%
11%
14%
2010 or later
9%
17%
11%
11%
In Des Moines, half of the homes were built before 1961; in Polk County, before 1982.
Homes in Des Moines are smaller: 49% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Polk County, 58%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K13%
$100K–$200K40%
$200K–$300K30%
$300K–$500K14%
$500K–$750K2%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M1%
$1M or more1%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Under $100K
13%
$100K–$200K
40%
$200K–$300K
30%
$300K–$500K
14%
$500K–$750K
2%
$750K–$1M
1%
$1M or more
1%
The FHA loan limit for Polk County is $541,287, and about 97% of owner-occupied homes in Des Moines are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $5006%
$500–$99935%
$1,000–$1,49941%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,360
$1,500–$1,99915%
$2,000–$2,4993%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Under $500
6%
$500–$999
35%
$1,000–$1,499
41%
$1,500–$1,999
15%
$2,000–$2,499
3%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Polk County is $1,360; about 70% of rents in Des Moines are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,485 a month
Polk County: $1,741 a month
Without a mortgage
$629 a month
Polk County: $714 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
Polk County: 70%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Des Moines is $1,485 a month, less than in Polk County ($1,741); without one, $629.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Des Moines+46%
Polk County+46%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Des Moines+28%
Polk County+26%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Des Moines+23%
Polk County+24%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+46%
+46%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+28%
+26%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+23%
+24%
+24%
+29%
Much as in Polk County, the typical home value in Des Moines rose 46% since 2015–2019.
The typical rent in Des Moines rose 28% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Polk County (26%).
The typical household income in Des Moines rose 23%: less than home values (+46%) and rent (+28%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
5.0%
5.5%
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
0.9%
0.5%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
3.2%
2.4%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.41
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
71%
72%
76%
69%
Carpool
11%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
1%
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
3%
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
13%
16%
11%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Polk County, the rental vacancy rate in Des Moines is 5.0%.
Much as in Polk County, 3.2% of households in Des Moines have more than one person per room.
By size, households in Des Moines look like those in Polk County: 2.30 people on average.
To get to work, 71% of workers in Des Moines drive alone; in Polk County, 72%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Des Moines?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Des Moines, worth $194,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Des Moines, which is $65,932 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $75,187 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Polk County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Des Moines. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,815 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,754
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$191,173
Total interest
$275,053
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,288 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,538 a month
Tight
$1,538 to $1,978 a month
Your payment · 32%
Hard
more than $1,978 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Des Moines ($65,932 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,295
Property tax
$292
Home insurance
$81
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$86
You need at least $6,815 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,754; principal and interest $1,295.
The city and its county
Des Moines and Polk County
Des Moines is in Polk County, Iowa. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Des Moines
Map of Polk County, Iowa, with Des Moines marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Des Moines
Polk County
Other cities with a page
Des Moines's own numbers
Typical home value
$194,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,090
Typical yearly household income
$65,932
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
1.8%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Polk County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,360
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+40%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Polk County.
A typical home in Des Moines is worth $194,700: 26% below the county and 6% below Iowa. With the typical household income in Des Moines ($65,932 a year), a typical home costs 3.0 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Des Moines3.0 years
Polk3.1 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Polk County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Polk County rose 70% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Polk County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.8% +4.8% 2016
2017: +5.0% +5.0% 2017
2018: +4.4% +4.4% 2018
2019: +3.1% +3.1% 2019
2020: +2.0% +2.0% 2020
2021: +9.1% +9.1% 2021
2022: +12.6% +12.6% 2022
2023: +7.4% +7.4% 2023
2024: +4.6% +4.6% 2024
2025: +1.7% +1.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.7%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+40%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+70%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Des Moines next to Polk County, Iowa and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Des Moines$194,700
Polk$262,100
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Des Moines$1,090
Polk$1,149
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Des Moines$65,932
Polk$83,576
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Des Moines next to Polk County and Iowa
Measure
Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$194,700 ▼26% below the county
$262,100
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,090 ▼5% below the county
$1,149
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$65,932 ▼21% below the county
$83,576
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
60% ▼7 points below the county
67%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,496 ▼20% below the county
$4,396
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.8% ▲0.12 points above the county
1.68%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49% ▲3 points above the county
46%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Polk County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Des Moines
For a typical $194,700 home in Des Moines, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Des Moines's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,754a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,815
Cash to close
$12,656
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $86
Conventional, 5% down$1,719a month
Down payment
$9,735
Cash to close
$15,576
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $92
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,428a month
Down payment
$38,940
Cash to close
$44,781
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,608a month
Down payment
$29,205
Cash to close
$35,046
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Des Moines
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,754
$6,815
$191,173
7.18%
FHA MIP · $86
$12,656
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,719
$9,735
$184,965
7.18%
PMI · $92
$15,576
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,428
$38,940
$155,760
7.18%
None
$44,781
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,608
$29,205
$165,495
8.18%
None
$35,046
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Des Moines is $1,090 a month: 5% below the county. In Des Moines, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Polk County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,360 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.15 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Polk County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,102
$21.19
$44,080
1 bedroom
$1,145
$22.02
$45,800
2 bedrooms
$1,360
$26.15
$54,400
3 bedrooms
$1,856
$35.69
$74,240
4 bedrooms
$1,901
$36.56
$76,040
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Des Moines
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Des Moines has 11 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,160 in 50314 to $1,430 in 50309.
1 of the 11 is above the fair market rent for Polk County ($1,360).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 11 ZIP codes of Des Moines, beside the one for Polk County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,160 in 50314 to $1,430 in 50309. 1 of the 11 is above the fair market rent for Polk County ($1,360).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,360
Lowest: $1,160 (50314)Highest: $1,430 (50309)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Des Moines, fiscal year 2027.
50309
$1,160
$1,200
$1,430
$1,950
$2,000
50310
$1,030
$1,070
$1,270
$1,730
$1,780
50311
$970
$1,010
$1,200
$1,640
$1,680
50312
$1,020
$1,060
$1,260
$1,720
$1,760
50314
$940
$980
$1,160
$1,580
$1,620
50315
$1,050
$1,090
$1,290
$1,760
$1,800
50316
$960
$990
$1,180
$1,610
$1,650
50317
$1,020
$1,060
$1,260
$1,720
$1,760
50319
$1,090
$1,130
$1,340
$1,830
$1,870
50320
$1,070
$1,110
$1,320
$1,800
$1,850
50321
$1,080
$1,120
$1,330
$1,820
$1,860
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
50309 $1,430$1,950
50310 $1,270$1,730
50311 $1,200$1,640
50312 $1,260$1,720
50314 $1,160$1,580
50315 $1,290$1,760
50316 $1,180$1,610
50317 $1,260$1,720
50319 $1,340$1,830
50320 $1,320$1,800
50321 $1,330$1,820
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Des Moines when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 105 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Des Moines. These are the largest.
Oakview Terrace Apts3211 30th St, Des Moines 50310233 homes, 232 low-income · Studio: 24 · 1 bd: 59 · 2 bd: 147 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2009 · For families
Royal View Manor1101 Crocker St, Des Moines 50309200 low-income homes · Run by Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency · Average payment: $297 a month · Average wait: 14 months(515) 323-8950
Eastview Manor3700 E 31st St, Des Moines 50317190 low-income homes · Run by Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency · Average payment: $396 a month · Average wait: 9 months(515) 323-8950
Elsie Mason Manor430 Grand Ave, Des Moines 50309150 low-income homes · 1 bd: 150 · In service since 2014 · For older adults(515) 243-8759
Homes of Oakridge I926 Oakridge Dr, Des Moines 50314150 low-income homes · Studio: 9 · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 68 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2010 · For families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Polk County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Des Moines or Polk County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Des Moines the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Iowa state authority's FirstHome mortgage, a first-time buyer can get a second loan of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or up to 5% (maximum $15,000), with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
Iowa state authority second loan, with the Homes for Iowans mortgage, of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or 5% (maximum $15,000) for the down payment and closing costs; no monthly payments, and for any buyer.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Des Moines or Polk County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Des Moines and all of Polk County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Des Moines?
The typical home value in Des Moines is $194,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Polk County it is $262,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Des Moines?
Typical rent in Des Moines is $1,090 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Polk County is $1,360.
What is the FHA loan limit in Des Moines?
Des Moines uses the FHA limit for all of Polk County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Des Moines?
The typical homeowner in Des Moines pays $3,496 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.8% of the home’s value; in Polk County, the rate is 1.68%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Des Moines?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Polk County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
