Des Moines, Iowa
Insurance capital with surprising vibrancy
U.S. News (2025)
#24 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#6 Best Cities for Young Professionals
WhereAtHome Score
80.8
B-out of 100
Overview
Des Moines has emerged as one of the Midwest's most underrated cities, combining a robust insurance and financial services sector with an increasingly hip downtown. The city offers exceptional affordability, very short commutes, and a growing food and arts scene. It consistently ranks among the best cities for young professionals.
Key Highlights
- Insurance and financial services hub
- Extremely affordable housing market
- Average commute under 20 minutes
- Thriving East Village and downtown districts
- Strong job market with low unemployment
- Excellent farmers markets and local food scene
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Polk County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
86°F
Winter Low
14°F
Annual Rainfall
35"
Sunny Days
204
Amenities & Infrastructure
76+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
5 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
3 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
Related Reading
Cost of Living by City: What $80,000 Is Really Worth Where You Live
Des Moines, Denver, and San Francisco show how far the same paycheck actually stretches once local prices are accounted for.
relocation tipsHow to Compare Walkability Between Cities Using Real Walk Score Data
San Francisco scores 89. Raleigh scores 31. Here's what that gap actually measures, what it misses, and how to field-test it before you move.
relocation tipsHidden Costs of Moving to a New City: What the Estimate Doesn't Include
Real numbers on deposits, movers, insurance, and taxes, so your relocation budget survives contact with moving day.
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