Des Moines, Iowa
Among the top 17% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 21% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 13% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 23% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 83% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 30% of US places
- top 3% for natural disaster risk
- top 7% for walkability
- bottom 11% for property tax rate
Des Moines is a city in Iowa with about 213,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for weather. Standout strengths include natural disaster risk, walkability, and commute time. It rates lower on air quality and property tax rate.
Official websitecatchdesmoines.com (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
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warm
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66%45%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.4 in1.3 in
humid 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$62k50th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$47kbetter than 45% of US places
Home Value$171k53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$995better than 41% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 44% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.96%better than 11% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden13.64%better than 22% of US places
Unemployment5.9%better than 32% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)22°F15th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)75°F48th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation36.6 in34th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall36.5 inbetter than 25% of US places
Sunny Days194 daysbetter than 18% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 41% of US places
Comfortable Days87 daysbetter than 63% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk16.8better than 97% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 14% of US places
School Quality57.6better than 49% of US places
Violent Crime1581/100kbetter than 15% of US places
Property Crime2184/100kbetter than 16% of US places
Community
Population213,164100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age34.420th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4982nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9849th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1617th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)63.4%25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)11.4%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)14.3%80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)6.5%93rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.3%65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time20 minbetter than 87% of US places
Walkability12.3/20better than 93% of US places
Airport Distance120 mibetter than 28% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.4%better than 51% of US places
Amenities Nearby17.45better than 19% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 51% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Des Moines an affordable place to live?
- Des Moines is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $47k, better than 45% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Des Moines?
- The median home value in Des Moines is $171k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Des Moines?
- Median household income in Des Moines is $62k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Des Moines?
- Median gross rent in Des Moines is $995 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Des Moines safe?
- Des Moines is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1581/100k (better than 15%). Property crime is 2184/100k.
- What is the weather like in Des Moines?
- Des Moines averages 75°F in July and 22°F in January, with 36.6 in of annual precipitation and about 194 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Des Moines?
- Public-school quality in Des Moines is about average, scoring better than 49% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Des Moines?
- The average one-way commute in Des Moines is 20 min.
Other places in Polk County
Places near Des Moines
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)