Median Home
$200,000
Rent (1BR)
$900/mo
Cost of Living
86 / 100
Unemployment
2.6%
Sunny Days
204/yr
Walkability
Car-Dependent
What It's Really Like in Des Moines
Iowa's capital and insurance industry hub with a revitalized downtown, affordable living, and an emerging food and arts scene. Des Moines surprises visitors with its quality of life and consistently ranks among best places to live.
Neighborhood Guide
Where to live in Des Moines based on your lifestyle and budget.
East Village
trendyRevitalized neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and the Capitol building nearby.
Avg Rent
$1,100
Home Price
$250,000
Walkability
High
Ingersoll Park
family-friendlyCharming neighborhood with Ingersoll Avenue dining and a strong community feel.
Avg Rent
$1,000
Home Price
$280,000
Walkability
Medium
West Des Moines
suburbanGrowing suburb with Jordan Creek Mall, corporate campuses, and excellent schools.
Avg Rent
$1,100
Home Price
$280,000
Walkability
Low
Sherman Hill
artsyHistoric neighborhood with Victorian homes and a creative, diverse community.
Avg Rent
$850
Home Price
$200,000
Walkability
Medium
Cost of Living Breakdown
Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.
Groceries
94
6% below avg
Housing
60
40% below avg
Transportation
94
6% below avg
Healthcare
90
10% below avg
Utilities
94
6% below avg
Best Neighborhoods By Situation
Best for Families
- Ingersoll Park — $1,000/mo rent
Best for Young Professionals
- East Village — $1,100/mo rent
Most Affordable
- Sherman Hill — $850/mo rent
- Ingersoll Park — $1,000/mo rent
Most Walkable
- East Village — walkability: high
Getting Around Des Moines
Walkability: Car-Dependent
Des Moines is primarily car-dependent. You'll need a vehicle for most daily activities including commuting, shopping, and entertainment.
Airport: DSM
Des Moines is served by DSM airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.
Jobs & Economy
Median Income
$52,079
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
State Income Tax
4.4-6%
Cost of Living Index
86
Top Industries
Insurance/FinanceHealthcareGovernmentAgricultureTechnology
Major Employers
Principal Financial GroupWellmark Blue CrossUnityPoint HealthEMC InsuranceMeredith Corporation
Popular Routes to Des Moines
People are moving to Des Moines from these cities.
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,326 miles24.1hr driveI-90 East
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,865 miles33.9hr driveI-90 West
Des Moines, IADes Moines
403 miles7.3hr driveI-90 East
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,070 miles19.5hr driveI-35 South
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,500 miles27.3hr driveI-90 West
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,262 miles22.9hr driveI-90 East
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,149 miles20.9hr driveI-35 South
Des Moines, IADes Moines
1,856 miles33.7hr driveI-90 West
Des Moines, IADes Moines
823 miles15hr driveI-35 South
Moving from Des Moines to Other States
Route guides from Des Moines, IA to every US state.
Des Moines → CaliforniaDes Moines → TexasDes Moines → FloridaDes Moines → New YorkDes Moines → PennsylvaniaDes Moines → IllinoisDes Moines → OhioDes Moines → GeorgiaDes Moines → North CarolinaDes Moines → MichiganDes Moines → New JerseyDes Moines → VirginiaDes Moines → WashingtonDes Moines → ArizonaDes Moines → MassachusettsDes Moines → TennesseeDes Moines → IndianaDes Moines → MarylandDes Moines → MissouriDes Moines → WisconsinDes Moines → ColoradoDes Moines → MinnesotaDes Moines → South CarolinaDes Moines → AlabamaDes Moines → LouisianaDes Moines → KentuckyDes Moines → OregonDes Moines → OklahomaDes Moines → ConnecticutDes Moines → UtahDes Moines → NevadaDes Moines → ArkansasDes Moines → MississippiDes Moines → KansasDes Moines → New MexicoDes Moines → NebraskaDes Moines → IdahoDes Moines → West VirginiaDes Moines → HawaiiDes Moines → New HampshireDes Moines → MaineDes Moines → Rhode IslandDes Moines → MontanaDes Moines → DelawareDes Moines → South DakotaDes Moines → North DakotaDes Moines → AlaskaDes Moines → District of ColumbiaDes Moines → VermontDes Moines → Wyoming
Moving from Des Moines to Metro Areas
Route guides from Des Moines to major metropolitan areas.
Des Moines → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJDes Moines → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CADes Moines → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INDes Moines → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CADes Moines → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXDes Moines → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVDes Moines → Trenton-Princeton, NJDes Moines → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CTDes Moines → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MDDes Moines → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FLDes Moines → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZDes Moines → Vallejo, CADes Moines → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TXDes Moines → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WADes Moines → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MDDes Moines → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WADes Moines → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHDes Moines → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CODes Moines → Kenosha, WIDes Moines → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Moving from Des Moines to Major Cities
Route guides from Des Moines to the largest US cities.
Des Moines → New York, NYDes Moines → Los Angeles, CADes Moines → Chicago, ILDes Moines → Houston, TXDes Moines → Phoenix, AZDes Moines → Philadelphia, PADes Moines → San Antonio, TXDes Moines → San Diego, CADes Moines → Dallas, TXDes Moines → Austin, TXDes Moines → San Jose, CADes Moines → Jacksonville, FLDes Moines → Fort Worth, TXDes Moines → Columbus, OHDes Moines → Charlotte, NCDes Moines → Indianapolis, INDes Moines → San Francisco, CADes Moines → Seattle, WADes Moines → Denver, CODes Moines → Nashville, TNDes Moines → Oklahoma City, OKDes Moines → Washington, DCDes Moines → El Paso, TXDes Moines → Boston, MADes Moines → Portland, ORDes Moines → Las Vegas, NVDes Moines → Memphis, TNDes Moines → Louisville, KYDes Moines → Baltimore, MDDes Moines → Milwaukee, WI
Your Des Moines Newcomer Checklist
A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.
30
First 30 Days
- Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
- Register to vote at your new address
- Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
- Find a primary care doctor & dentist
- Open a local bank account if needed
- Explore your neighborhood on foot
60
Days 30–60
- Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
- Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
- Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
- Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
- Attend a local event or festival
- Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself
90
Days 60–90
- Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
- Build a professional network in your industry
- Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
- Explore day-trip destinations nearby
- Start feeling like a local — give directions!
- Invite friends & family to visit your new home