Des Moines, IA, known as 'The Hartford of the West,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the heart of Iowa, Des Moines is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Ames and West Des Moines enhance its status as a central point in the region. Des Moines's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Des Moines is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Iowa State Capitol, the historic Salisbury House, and the scenic Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to the bustling Jordan Creek Town Center, known for its shopping and dining. Des Moines's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Iowa State Fair and the Des Moines Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Des Moines's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Drake University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Des Moines is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Des Moines Civic Center and the Des Moines Art Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Des Moines provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Des Moines’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Iowa Cubs (MiLB) and the Iowa Wild (AHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Des Moines include finance, insurance, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Principal Financial Group and UnityPoint Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient and sustainable.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Nothing Found
There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.
Des Moines, Iowa is a highly populated city with a population of 215,408 people. The majority of Des Moines residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Des Moines is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 46%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Des Moines. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Des Moines is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before relocating to any new city in Iowa, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Des Moines and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Des Moines to Iowa and the national average.
The livability score in Des Moines is 81/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the national average, Des Moines ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Des Moines has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Des Moines ranks very well for amenities (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (A). On a less positive note, Des Moines does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Des Moines has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Des Moines has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Blank Park Zoo, Iowa State Fairgrounds, and Des Moines Art Center.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Des Moines apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Des Moines real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Des Moines. Median real estate prices in Des Moines come in at $141,300, which is 6.4% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Des Moines, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 8.3% higher than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.6% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.7% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.7% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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