Cost of Living in Des Moines, Iowa
In Des Moines, the median household income is $65,932 and the median gross rent is $1,090/mo, with a median home value of $194,700. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $65,932
- Median gross rent
- $1,090/mo
- Median home value
- $194,700
- Population
- 212,421
How Des Moines compares to the Iowa average
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Iowa statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,932 | $75,059 | -12.2% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,090 | $972 | +12.1% |
| Median home value | $194,700 | $208,000 | -6.4% |
Statewide, Iowa prices average 87.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Des Moines
- Salary needed for median rent
- $43,600
- Rent burden at median income
- 19.8%
- Est. affordable home price
- $240,516
So that $1,090/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Des Moines is $194,700 — within what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other Iowa cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.