In short
The median value of owner-occupied homes in the city of Des Moines is $213,300, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey. A home in the Des Moines school district pays a combined property tax rate of $43.74496 per $1,000 of taxable value for taxes payable in September 2026 and March 2027, according to the Polk County Auditor’s rate table. State and local help for buyers is on this page.
How much homes cost in Des Moines
The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) asks owners how much they think their home would sell for. The median of those answers is a useful benchmark, but it is not a sale price: it covers every owner-occupied home, including homes bought long ago. Our page on Iowa home prices explains the method in detail.
| Area | Median value, 2024 (ACS) | Margin of error (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| City of Des Moines | $213,300 | ±$6,212 |
| Polk County | $281,400 | ±$6,556 |
| Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area | $288,400 | ±$5,998 |
| Iowa | $227,300 | ±$2,299 |
| United States | $360,600 | ±$618 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024, table B25077. The 2025 estimates are scheduled for October 29, 2026.
Are Des Moines prices rising?
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) tracks repeat sales of the same single-family homes. Its purchase-only, seasonally adjusted index for the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area, published August 25, 2026, shows:
| Area | 1-year change (Q2 2025 to Q2 2026) | 5-year change (Q2 2021 to Q2 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area | +0.1% | +27.1% |
| Iowa | +2.2% | +32.2% |
| United States | +2.1% | +33.4% |
Source: FHFA House Price Index, quarterly purchase-only files. Changes calculated by Payotte from the published index values.
Prices in the Des Moines area were almost flat over the past year, after a gain of about 27% over five years.
Closing costs at the median price
On top of the price, buyers and sellers pay closing costs: lender fees, the appraisal, the survey, recording fees and title insurance. Several of these depend on the loan and on the providers you choose. For the rules, who usually pays each item and a worked example, see our guide to closing costs in Iowa, and our pages on transfer tax in Iowa and title insurance in Iowa.
Property tax in Des Moines
The Polk County Auditor publishes consolidated rates for each taxing district. The district “Des Moines City / DM Sch” covers a home inside the city limits that is served by the Des Moines school district. The rates below apply to 2025 assessed valuations, with taxes payable in September 2026 and March 2027. They are stated in dollars per $1,000 of taxable value.
| Taxing unit | Rate per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| City of Des Moines | 16.61000 |
| Des Moines schools | 16.04873 |
| Polk County | 6.60896 |
| County hospital | 2.46100 |
| Des Moines Area Regional Transit (RTA) | 0.95000 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | 0.80808 |
| County assessor | 0.22774 |
| Agricultural extension | 0.03045 |
| Total | 43.74496 |
Source: Polk County Auditor, Consolidated Tax Rates FY2026/2027, section 1 (city non-agricultural rates).
Other districts differ. A home in the West Des Moines school district, for example, has a total of 40.74256 in the same table, and some neighborhoods add a self-supported municipal improvement district (SSMID) levy, which raises the total to between 45.04 and 45.99. Your tax statement lists the exact district for your address.
The rate applies to taxable value, not to the full assessed value. Iowa applies a rollback every year. The Polk County Assessor lists a 2025 residential rollback rate of 0.445345, so the taxable value of a house is about 44.5% of its assessed value. Credits, such as the Homestead Credit, are subtracted afterwards, according to the Assessor.
A worked example
Take a home assessed at the Des Moines median, $213,300, before credits:
- Taxable value: $213,300 × 0.445345 = about $94,992.
- Tax: $94,992 ÷ 1,000 × 43.74496 = about $4,155 a year, or about $346 a month.
This is an illustration with the 2025 rates, not a prediction for any one house. Our Iowa property tax guide covers exemptions, credits and appeals. To see how property tax can be paid through your monthly mortgage payment, read our guide to escrow accounts.
Help for Des Moines buyers
- Iowa Finance Authority. FirstHome and Homes for Iowans offer mortgages with down payment help. In Polk County, FirstHome income limits are $116,400 for one or two people and $133,860 for three or more. See Iowa first-time buyer programs for amounts, including the changes that take effect November 2, 2026.
- City funding. The City of Des Moines says homebuyer funding goes through its nonprofit partners. Its Federal Funds office is at (515) 283-4520.
- Section 32 Homeownership. The Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency sells homes at 67% of market value, with a five-year forgivable loan for the other 33%. As of October 13, 2026, it sells only to eligible public housing residents and Section 8 participants.
- Community Land Trust. The City says it is working with partners on a Central Iowa Community Land Trust, a model in which the buyer owns the house and leases the land. The City’s page says a founding board was to begin meeting in 2025 and does not list homes for sale.
Iowa guides for Des Moines buyers
Frequently asked questions
What is the median home price in Des Moines?
The Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in the city of Des Moines at $213,300 (±$6,212). This is what owners think their home is worth, not the median sale price of recent sales.
Are home prices in Des Moines going down?
According to the FHFA purchase-only index, prices in the Des Moines–West Des Moines area rose 0.1% between the second quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, which is essentially flat. Over five years, they rose 27.1%.
What is the property tax rate in Des Moines?
For taxes payable in September 2026 and March 2027, the combined rate in the Des Moines city and Des Moines school district is $43.74496 per $1,000 of taxable value. Taxable value is the assessed value times the rollback rate, 0.445345 for residential property in 2025.
How much property tax would I pay on a median-priced home in Des Moines?
On an assessed value of $213,300, the 2025 rates give about $4,155 a year before credits. The Homestead Credit and other credits lower the bill.
Is there help for first-time buyers in Des Moines?
Yes. The Iowa Finance Authority offers FirstHome and Homes for Iowans with down payment help, and the City works through nonprofit partners. Our page on first-time buyer programs lists amounts and limits.
More Iowa guides
- Closing costs in Iowa: what buyers and sellers pay
- Iowa real estate transfer tax: $1.60 per $1,000 of price
- Iowa property tax: rollback, homestead credit and 2026 changes
- What must a home seller disclose in Iowa?
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Iowa?
- Foreclosure process in Iowa: steps, timeline and redemption
- Home prices in Iowa and Des Moines: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Iowa and Des Moines
- How to verify a real estate license in Iowa
- Title insurance in Iowa: why you get a guaranty, not a policy
Sources
- Table B25077, Median Value (Dollars), ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- 2025 ACS Data Release Schedule (U.S. Census Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- U.S. House Prices Rise 2.1 Percent Year over Year, Up 0.3 Percent Quarter over Quarter (FHFA, August 25, 2026) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- FHFA House Price Index datasets, quarterly purchase-only indexes (state, metro) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Consolidated Tax Rates FY2026/2027 (Polk County Auditor) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Rollback Rates and Tax Calculation (Polk County Assessor) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Federal Funds: Homebuyer Assistance (City of Des Moines) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Section 32 Homeownership Program (City of Des Moines) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Community Land Trust (City of Des Moines) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Homeownership Programs (Iowa Finance Authority) (consulted October 13, 2026)