Housing
Home prices and rent in Des Moines
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with Iowa and the U.S.
Census geography: Des Moines city, Iowa. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Des Moines vs. Iowa and the U.S.
| Des Moines | Iowa | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $194,700 | $208,000 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,090 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $65,932 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 61% | 72% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1961 | 1972 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $117,600 | $133,200 | $194,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $751 | $855 | $1,090 |
| Median household income | $46,430 | $53,525 | $65,932 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area · Polk County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent; green figures are the range across 14 Des Moines ZIP codes, where HUD sets Small Area Fair Market Rents.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $116,400. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $65,200 | $74,500 | $83,800 | $93,100 | $100,550 | $108,000 | $115,450 | $122,900 |
| Very low income (50%) | $40,750 | $46,600 | $52,400 | $58,200 | $62,900 | $67,550 | $72,200 | $76,850 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $24,450 | $27,950 | $31,450 | $34,900 | $38,680 | $44,360 | $50,040 | $55,720 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Des Moines?
$194,700, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $208,000 in Iowa and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Des Moines?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,090 a month, versus $972 statewide.
How much have home values risen in Des Moines?
The median home value went from $117,600 in 2014 to $194,700 in 2024 (+66%).
What is fair market rent in Des Moines?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,102 for a studio, $1,145 for one bedroom and $1,360 for two bedrooms; across Des Moines's ZIP codes, two-bedroom values run $1,160 to $1,640. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Des Moines city, Iowa. Values are estimates with margins of error.