In Des Moines, a typical home is worth $597,000 and typical rent is $1,799 a month. Compared with all of King County, the typical home value is 31% lower, typical household income is 26% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $530,864 to $592,107.
Typical rent
$2,055a month
▲ 5.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,604 to $2,055.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Des Moines is in King County. The FHA loan limit ($1,063,750 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of King County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Des Moines has the 4th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 172 cities in Washington with more than 5,000 people (69%).
2
The typical home in Des Moines is worth $597,000,31% less than in King County as a whole ($859,900).
3
The typical household income in Des Moines is $92,483,26% less than in King County as a whole ($124,746).
4
61% of households in Des Moines own their home, against 55% in King County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
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
King County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
King County
Washington
United States
Detached house
56%
50%
62%
61%
Attached house
2%
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
8%
5%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
32%
38%
22%
19%
Mobile home
2%
1%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Des Moines: 56% of homes, more than in King County (50%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Des Moines
King County
Washington
United States
Year built: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
King County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
22%
23%
21%
26%
1960–1979
38%
23%
23%
24%
1980–1999
25%
25%
27%
25%
2000–2009
7%
13%
15%
14%
2010 or later
9%
16%
14%
11%
The typical home in Des Moines was built in 1974, 9 years before the typical one in King County.
There is more room for a big family here: 55% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 50% in King County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K4%
$300K–$500K26%
$500K–$750K43%
$750K–$1M16%
$1M or more7%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
4%
$300K–$500K
26%
$500K–$750K
43%
$750K–$1M
16%
$1M or more
7%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49921%
$1,500–$1,99940%
$2,000–$2,49921%
$2,500–$2,9996%
$3,000 or more7%
Monthly rent with utilities: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
21%
$1,500–$1,999
40%
$2,000–$2,499
21%
$2,500–$2,999
6%
$3,000 or more
7%
With a mortgage
$2,499 a month
King County: $3,273 a month
Without a mortgage
$868 a month
King County: $1,116 a month
Owners with a mortgage
70%
King County: 70%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Des Moines is $2,499 a month, less than in King County ($3,273); without one, $868.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Des Moines+66%
King County+57%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Des Moines+35%
King County+30%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Des Moines+32%
King County+31%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
King County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+66%
+57%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+35%
+30%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+32%
+31%
+33%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Des Moines gained value faster than in King County: 66% against 57%.
The typical rent in Des Moines rose 35% over the same time; in King County, it rose 30%.
The typical household income in Des Moines rose 32% over that time; home values changed +66% and rent +35%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Des Moines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Moines
King County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.3%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
6.2%
3.9%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.68
2.39
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
68%
50%
63%
69%
Carpool
10%
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
5%
7%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
3%
5%
4%
3%
Work from home
15%
29%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 6.2% of households in Des Moines live, more than in King County (3.9%).
Households in Des Moines are bigger: 2.68 people on average; in King County, 2.39.
To get to work, 68% of workers in Des Moines drive alone; in King County, 50%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Des Moines?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Des Moines, worth $597,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 64% of the typical household income in Des Moines, which is $92,483 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $212,206 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of King 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 $20,895 (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
$4,951
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$586,187
Total interest
$843,385
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $10,082 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,158 a month
Tight
$2,158 to $2,774 a month
Hard
more than $2,774 a month
Your payment · 64%
Compared with the typical household income in Des Moines ($92,483 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,971
Property tax
$468
Home insurance
$249
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$264
You need at least $20,895 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 $4,951; principal and interest $3,971.
The city and its county
Des Moines and King County
Des Moines is in King County, Washington. 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 King County, Washington, with Des Moines marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Des Moines
King County
Other cities with a page
Des Moines's own numbers
Typical home value
$597,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,799
Typical yearly household income
$92,483
Households that own their home
61%
Effective property tax rate
0.94%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of King County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,063,750
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,063,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,549
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+37%
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 King County.
A typical home in Des Moines is worth $597,000: 31% below the county and 6% above Washington. With the typical household income in Des Moines ($92,483 a year), a typical home costs 6.5 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 Moines6.5 years
King6.9 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in King County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in King County rose 101% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of King County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in King County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +13.4% +13.4% 2016
2017: +12.7% +12.7% 2017
2018: +9.2% +9.2% 2018
2019: +1.8% +1.8% 2019
2020: +3.5% +3.5% 2020
2021: +11.3% +11.3% 2021
2022: +15.8% +15.8% 2022
2023: +0.2% +0.2% 2023
2024: +4.8% +4.8% 2024
2025: +0.9% +0.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in King County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.9%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+37%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+101%
+113%
+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 King County, Washington 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$597,000
King$859,900
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Des Moines$1,799
King$2,092
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Des Moines$92,483
King$124,746
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Des Moines next to King County and Washington
Measure
Des Moines
King County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$597,000 ▼31% below the county
$859,900
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,799 ▼14% below the county
$2,092
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$92,483 ▼26% below the county
$124,746
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
61% ▲5 points above the county
55%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$5,640 ▼21% below the county
$7,114
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.94% ▲0.11 points above the county
0.83%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
69% ▲23 points above the county
47%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below King 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 $597,000 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$4,951a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$20,895
Cash to close
$38,805
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $264
Conventional, 5% down$4,842a month
Down payment
$29,850
Cash to close
$47,760
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $284
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,952a month
Down payment
$119,400
Cash to close
$137,310
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$4,504a month
Down payment
$89,550
Cash to close
$107,460
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
$4,951
$20,895
$586,187
7.18%
FHA MIP · $264
$38,805
580
Conventional, 5% down
$4,842
$29,850
$567,150
7.18%
PMI · $284
$47,760
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,952
$119,400
$477,600
7.18%
None
$137,310
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$4,504
$89,550
$507,450
8.18%
None
$107,460
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 $1,799 a month: 14% below the county. In Des Moines, 69% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of King County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,549 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $49.02 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 King County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$2,091
$40.21
$83,640
1 bedroom
$2,180
$41.92
$87,200
2 bedrooms
$2,549
$49.02
$101,960
3 bedrooms
$3,324
$63.92
$132,960
4 bedrooms
$3,954
$76.04
$158,160
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 is in ZIP code 98198.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,210: $339 less than the fair market rent for King County ($2,549).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Des Moines, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
98198
$1,810
$1,890
$2,210
$2,880
$3,430
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98198 $2,210$2,880
1 of these ZIP codes crosses 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 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Des Moines. These are the largest.
Waterview Crossing Apartments22000 Pacific Hwy S, Des Moines 98198326 homes, 323 low-income · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 111 · 3 bd: 99 · 4 bd: 72 · In service since 2019 · For people with disabilities, families
Adriana Senior Apartments, the22525 7th Ave S, Des Moines 98198119 low-income homes · 1 bd: 73 · 2 bd: 46 · In service since 2018 · For older adults, people with disabilities
Seaview Apartments22800 28th Ave S, Des Moines 9819872 homes, 70 low-income · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 1999
Silverwood Park Apartments23006 30th Ave S, Des Moines 9819863 homes, 61 low-income · Studio: 29 · 1 bd: 77 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 1996
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 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in King County; 3 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Des Moines or King County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Des Moines the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Des Moines or King 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 King 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 $597,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in King County it is $859,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Des Moines?
Typical rent in Des Moines is $1,799 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in King County is $2,549.
What is the FHA loan limit in Des Moines?
Des Moines uses the FHA limit for all of King County (2026): $1,063,750 for a one-unit home and $2,045,700 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Des Moines?
The typical homeowner in Des Moines pays $5,640 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.94% of the home’s value; in King County, the rate is 0.83%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Des Moines?
There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in King County. 3 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
