In West Des Moines, a typical home is worth $309,000 and typical rent is $1,237 a month. Compared with all of Polk County, the typical home value is 18% higher, typical rent is 8% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 10 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $271,046 to $320,565.
Typical rent
$1,353a month
▲ 2.4% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,153 to $1,353.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
West 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: 32% less than in West Des Moines ($1,237).
2
West Des Moines has the 5th lowest homeownership rate of the 86 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people (57%).
3
The typical home in West Des Moines is worth $309,000,18% more than in Polk County as a whole ($262,100).
4
West Des Moines has the 9th highest typical rent of the 85 cities in Iowa with more than 5,000 people ($1,237).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in West Des Moines
What homes there are in West 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
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
46%
63%
72%
61%
Attached house
12%
8%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
2%
4%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
39%
24%
14%
19%
Mobile home
1%
2%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Homes in West Des Moines are varied: detached houses are the largest group, at 46%, against 63% in Polk County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Year built: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
12%
28%
38%
26%
1960–1979
15%
20%
24%
24%
1980–1999
34%
21%
17%
25%
2000–2009
19%
14%
11%
14%
2010 or later
19%
17%
11%
11%
Homes in West Des Moines are newer: the typical year built is 1994; in Polk County, 1982.
Homes in West 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 $100K4%
$100K–$200K15%
$200K–$300K29%
$300K–$500K38%
$500K–$750K10%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M3%
$1M or more2%
Value of owner-occupied homes: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Under $100K
4%
$100K–$200K
15%
$200K–$300K
29%
$300K–$500K
38%
$500K–$750K
10%
$750K–$1M
3%
$1M or more
2%
The FHA loan limit for Polk County is $541,287, and about 87% of owner-occupied homes in West Des Moines are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99918%
$1,000–$1,49957%
$1,500–$1,99919%
$2,000–$2,4993%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
18%
$1,000–$1,499
57%
$1,500–$1,999
19%
$2,000–$2,499
3%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,845 a month
Polk County: $1,741 a month
Without a mortgage
$754 a month
Polk County: $714 a month
Owners with a mortgage
67%
Polk County: 70%
In West Des Moines, 67% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,845 a month, against $1,741 in Polk County. Without one it drops to $754.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
West Des Moines+41%
Polk County+46%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
West Des Moines+22%
Polk County+26%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
West Des Moines+13%
Polk County+24%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+41%
+46%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+22%
+26%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+13%
+24%
+24%
+29%
The typical home value in West Des Moines rose 41% since 2015–2019, less than in Polk County (46%).
The typical rent in West Des Moines rose 22% over the same time; in Polk County, it rose 26%.
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 13%, while home values changed +41% and rent +22%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: West Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
5.1%
5.5%
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.6%
2.4%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.19
2.41
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
71%
72%
76%
69%
Carpool
7%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
1%
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
19%
16%
11%
15%
Other means
2%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In West Des Moines, the rental vacancy rate is 5.1%, about the same as in Polk County.
More than one person per room: that is how 1.6% of households in West Des Moines live, near the figure in Polk County (2.4%).
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.19 on average, against 2.41 in Polk County.
In West Des Moines, 19% of workers work from home, more than in Polk County (16%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in West Des Moines?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in West Des Moines, worth $309,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income in West Des Moines, which is $86,594 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $116,236 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 West 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 $10,815 (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
$2,712
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$303,403
Total interest
$436,526
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,218 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,021 a month
Tight
$2,021 to $2,598 a month
Hard
more than $2,598 a month
Your payment · 38%
Compared with the typical household income in West Des Moines ($86,594 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,055
Property tax
$391
Home insurance
$129
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$137
You need at least $10,815 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 $2,712; principal and interest $2,055.
The city and its county
West Des Moines and Polk County
West 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).
West Des Moines
Map of Polk County, Iowa, with West Des Moines marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
West Des Moines
Polk County
Other cities with a page
West Des Moines's own numbers
Typical home value
$309,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,237
Typical yearly household income
$86,594
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
1.52%
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 West Des Moines is worth $309,000: 18% above the county and 49% above Iowa. With the typical household income in West Des Moines ($86,594 a year), a typical home costs 3.6 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.
West Des Moines3.6 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
West 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
West Des Moines$309,000
Polk$262,100
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
West Des Moines$1,237
Polk$1,149
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
West Des Moines$86,594
Polk$83,576
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
West Des Moines next to Polk County and Iowa
Measure
West Des Moines
Polk County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$309,000 ▲18% above the county
$262,100
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,237 ▲8% above the county
$1,149
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$86,594 ▲4% above the county
$83,576
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
57% ▼10 points below the county
67%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,711 ▲7% above the county
$4,396
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.52% ▼0.16 points below the county
1.68%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
43% ▼3 points below 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 West Des Moines
For a typical $309,000 home in West 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, West Des Moines's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,712a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$10,815
Cash to close
$20,085
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $137
Conventional, 5% down$2,656a month
Down payment
$15,450
Cash to close
$24,720
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $147
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,195a month
Down payment
$61,800
Cash to close
$71,070
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,480a month
Down payment
$46,350
Cash to close
$55,620
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in West 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
$2,712
$10,815
$303,403
7.18%
FHA MIP · $137
$20,085
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,656
$15,450
$293,550
7.18%
PMI · $147
$24,720
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,195
$61,800
$247,200
7.18%
None
$71,070
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,480
$46,350
$262,650
8.18%
None
$55,620
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 West Des Moines is $1,237 a month: 8% above the county. In West Des Moines, 43% 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.
HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in West Des Moines. These are the largest.
Country Club Village Project1200 Office Park Rd, West Des Moines 50265294 homes, 122 low-income · 1 bd: 102 · 2 bd: 186 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2007 · For families
Valley West Apartments1800 36th St, West Des Moines 50266105 low-income homes · For older adults(515) 223-0084
Chapel Ridge West II210 S 41st St, West Des Moines 5026595 homes, 94 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2010 · For families
Chapel Ridge West I210 S 41st St, West Des Moines 5026573 homes, 72 low-income · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 18 · In service since 2009 · For families
Crestview Terrace916 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines 5026555 low-income homes · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 15 · In service since 2011 · For older adults
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 West Des Moines or Polk County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in West 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).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of West Des Moines, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
No legal help resource on our list is for West 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 West 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 West Des Moines?
The typical home value in West Des Moines is $309,000, 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 West Des Moines?
Typical rent in West Des Moines is $1,237 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 West Des Moines?
West 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 West Des Moines?
The typical homeowner in West Des Moines pays $4,711 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.52% of the home’s value; in Polk County, the rate is 1.68%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in West 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.
