Rows tagged local are specific to West 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: 8/10 (district West Des Moines Comm School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.8
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.28
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Median household income
$82,345
local
#1689 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$50,557
local
#1155 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.7 years
metro-area
#53 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
39.1%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
8.6%
metro-area
#93 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
69.5%
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.80%
local
#359 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+9.1%
local
#761 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$266,700
local
#1133 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.2×
local
#936 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$162
local
#1356 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,153
local
#822 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,530
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#140 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.94%
state
#50 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.80%
Capital gains tax
3.80%
state
#70 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.64%
local
#2460 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$4,367
local
#1937 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.1 years
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.1%
metro-area
#19 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
79
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#193 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.00% of value (~$280/yr)
state
#140 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
9
Avg commute to work
18 min
local
#64 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
74.3%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
22.2%
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
13.9¢/kWh
state
#10 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$125
state
#10 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#50 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$73
state
#130 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#50 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$93
state
#197 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#96 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#3 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
78.6 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
97%
state
#1 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
18
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
12°F
metro-area
#187 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
35.0"
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
35.0"
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
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 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#52 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
47
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
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 metros
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.