2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Des Moines - 2026 Data
The median home value in Des Moines is $170,000, 40% below nat'l avg. Median rent is $1,113/month. With an affordability index of 74, Des Moines is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Des Moines, IA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Des Moines
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Des Moines is Storm Lake, with a median home value of $148,900.
- 2Des Moines's median home value is $170,000, 40% below nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Des Moines's affordability index is 74 (baseline 100), making it less affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Des Moines is $1,113/month, 4% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Des Moines to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Des Moines Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$170,000
40% below nat'l avg
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
4% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$50,950
32% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
74
26% below nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Des Moines (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storm LakeIA | $148,900 |
| 2 | KeokukIA | $89,100 |
| 3 | OskaloosaIA | $123,800 |
| 4 | BettendorfIA | $273,600 |
| 5 | WaverlyIA | $211,000 |
| 6 | WaterlooIA | $142,000 |
| 7 | BooneIA | $142,200 |
| 8 | AmesIA | $247,500 |
| 9 | Pleasant HillIA | $263,600 |
| 10 | MarionIA | $208,200 |
| 11 | DavenportIA | $155,100 |
| 12 | PellaIA | $240,100 |
| 13 | CarrollIA | $172,000 |
| 14 | West Des MoinesIA | $266,700 |
| 15 | MarshalltownIA | $109,800 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $148,900
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 11,194
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $89,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 9,868
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $123,800
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 11,492
Walk Score: 0/100
4
Home Value: $273,600
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 38,997
Walk Score: 0/100
5
Home Value: $211,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,399
Walk Score: 0/100
6
Home Value: $142,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 67,256
Walk Score: 0/100
7
Home Value: $142,200
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 12,482
Walk Score: 0/100
8
Home Value: $247,500
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 66,265
Walk Score: 0/100
9
Home Value: $263,600
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,456
Walk Score: 0/100
10
Home Value: $208,200
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 41,401
Walk Score: 0/100
11
Home Value: $155,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 101,448
Walk Score: 0/100
12
Home Value: $240,100
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,556
Walk Score: 0/100
13
Home Value: $172,000
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 10,270
Walk Score: 0/100
14
Home Value: $266,700
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 68,744
Walk Score: 0/100
15
Home Value: $109,800
Rent: $824/mo
Affordability: 212
Population: 27,511
Walk Score: 0/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Des Moines
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Des Moines, IA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Storm Lake is the most affordable neighborhood in Des Moines with a median home value of $148,900. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Des Moines area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Des Moines, IA?▾
The median home price in Des Moines is $170,000, which is 40% below nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Des Moines affordable compared to the national average?▾
Des Moines has an affordability index of 74, which means housing is less affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?▾
The median monthly rent in Des Moines is $1,113. This is 4% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Des Moines?▾
The median household income in Des Moines is $50,950 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Des Moines are below the national average home price?▾
15 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Des Moines have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Storm Lake at $148,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).