Rows tagged local are specific to Des Moines (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Des Moines, IA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district 1908970 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.8
metro-area
#69 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#103 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.28
metro-area
#68 of 200
Median household income
$62,378
local
#56 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$39,510
local
#24 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.94%
local
#30 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.8%
local
#12 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$170,700
local
#73 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#29 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#106 of 200
Price per square foot
$104
local
#91 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,649 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$995
local
#24 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,530
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#140 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.94%
state
#50 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
3.80%
Capital gains tax
3.80%
state
#70 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.96%
local
#167 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,338
local
#157 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#193 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.00% of value (~$280/yr)
state
#140 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
9
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#21 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
13.9¢/kWh
state
#10 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$125
state
#10 of 200
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#50 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$73
state
#130 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#50 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$93
state
#197 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#96 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#3 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200
Avg winter low
12°F
metro-area
#187 of 200
Annual precipitation
35.0"
metro-area
#62 of 200
Annual snowfall
35.0"
metro-area
#147 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
300
state
#28 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#52 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
47
metro-area
#114 of 200
Parks
38
Hiking areas
8
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.