Buying a Home in Des Moines
The capital city itself — historic neighborhoods and the metro's most affordable entry point.
Des Moines is the state capital and the core of the metro, and it offers something the suburbs largely don't: genuine architectural variety at the metro's lowest typical price point. Neighborhoods range from the Victorian-era homes of Sherman Hill to the brick Tudors that give Beaverdale its name, to mid-century ranches on the north and south sides.
It's the practical choice for first-time buyers priced out of the western suburbs, and for anyone who wants walkability, older housing stock with character, and the shortest commute to downtown employers.
Highlights
- Distinct historic neighborhoods — Sherman Hill, Beaverdale, Drake, South of Grand
- The East Village: independent shops, restaurants, and bars near the Capitol
- Downtown's skywalk system, Gray's Lake, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- The metro's largest employment base, concentrated in insurance and finance
Des Moines by the numbers
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).
Browse current Des Moines listings on Zillow →
School choice: who is moving in, and out
Iowa lets parents enroll a child in a public district other than the one they live in (Iowa Code §282.18). The state publishes the counts, which shows something a school rating cannot: which districts families are actively choosing, and which they are leaving.
School district boundaries do not follow city limits. Figures below describe the district, not the city, and the two can differ a great deal: only about half the children living in the city of Urbandale attend Urbandale schools, while Waukee's district reaches well beyond Waukee. Check any specific address before relying on this.
Source: Iowa Department of Education, Certified Enrollment by District, 2025-26 school year. The bar shows transfers in and out as shares of all transfers, not the net. Percentages are of certified enrollment — every student living in the district, whichever school they attend. A net loss is not a verdict on a school — large districts lose more simply by being large, and families transfer for childcare, a parent's commute and sibling placement as well as for academics.
Schools
Mostly Des Moines Public Schools, the largest district in Iowa, though the city's edges fall into neighboring districts. Attendance boundaries vary considerably within the city — verify by address.
Getting around
The shortest commutes in the metro to downtown, with I-235 running through the city east–west. Many neighborhoods are within 10–15 minutes of the core.
Metro context
Source: Realtor.com via FRED (metro); Zillow Research (value/rent); U.S. Census ACS (demographics) · Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA · updated 2026-08.
Estimate buy vs rent for Des Moines →
General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.