Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA scores 69/100 (Good) on Your Area Score. It is a mid-sized city with a more affordable than many comparable markets cost profile, a more challenging safety profile, and a more demanding climate. Whether it is a good place to live will depend heavily on your budget, neighborhood choice, and priorities.
Based on affordability, safety, climate, infrastructure, schools, grocery access, and risk.
Pros
- Cost of Living
- Risk
Cons
- Safety
- Climate
At a Glance
Why Des Moines, IA scored 69/100
Top strengths
- Cost of Living is one of the strongest categories for this city.
- Risk also helps lift the overall score.
- Des Moines, IA may appeal most to budget-conscious movers.
Main trade-offs
- Safety is one of the weaker categories here.
- Climate may be a deciding factor depending on your priorities.
- Neighborhood choice still matters because citywide averages never tell the full story.
Category Scores
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $995, median home value is about $170,700, and the local economy may feel narrower than in larger metros. See cheaper cities in IA.
This city has a more challenging safety profile. Violent crime is above average at 703.0 per 100k residents, and property crime is above average at 3,126.5 per 100k. Careful neighborhood research is strongly recommended before relocating. Source: FBI UCR 2024. Compare safer cities in IA.
The climate in Des Moines, IA is generally cold winters and warm summers. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Larger cities usually score better here because they support more services, access, and everyday convenience.
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Most residents should have solid grocery access, though convenience and store variety can depend on which side of the city they live in.
Living in Des Moines, IA
This section turns the score into day-to-day reality: housing, comfort, family fit, convenience, and the main trade-offs you would notice after moving.
Cost, housing, and daily setup
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $995, median home value is about $170,700, and the local economy may feel narrower than in larger metros.
- Median rent: $995
- Median home value: $170,700
- Best fit: budget-conscious movers
Bottom line
Des Moines, IA is currently rated Good with a MoveScore of 69/100. Its strongest areas are Cost of Living and Risk, while the biggest trade-offs are Safety and Climate.
Climate and comfort
The climate in Des Moines, IA is generally cold winters and warm summers. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Risk and drawbacks
The main environmental and weather risks in this area are relatively manageable compared with many parts of the country, though residents should still be aware of cost pressure, neighborhood-level variation, and local infrastructure gaps.
Schools and family fit
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Errands and convenience
Most residents should have solid grocery access, though convenience and store variety can depend on which side of the city they live in.
Entertainment & Things To Do
Des Moines, IA is more likely to rely on general local amenities than on major event venues, so entertainment value may depend more on neighborhood and nearby regional options.
Best Fit For
- Budget-conscious movers who still want solid city access.
- People who are comfortable with cold or harsh seasonal weather.
Less Ideal For
- People who are highly sensitive to neighborhood-level safety variation.
- People who want milder year-round weather and fewer climate-related trade-offs.
Neighborhood Reality
Des Moines, IA is not uniform. Some areas perform significantly better than others across safety, schools, and overall livability. Where you choose to live within the city will have a major impact on your experience.
What stands out
Major event venues are not a defining strength here right now, so entertainment value may depend more on restaurants, shopping, parks, and nearby regional options.
Relocation takeaway
People who care about weekend options usually want to know whether a city feels quiet, convenient, or event-driven. Des Moines, IA currently leans toward everyday livability rather than major venue-centered entertainment.
Crime & Safety Reality
This is a practical interpretation of the city-level safety score. It should be treated as a broad relocation signal, not a substitute for neighborhood-level research.
What the current score suggests
Des Moines, IA has a more challenging city-level safety profile, so block-by-block research matters more than usual before renting or buying. The main environmental and weather risks in this area are relatively manageable compared with many parts of the country, though residents should still be aware of cost pressure, neighborhood-level variation, and local infrastructure gaps.
What movers should do next
- Compare neighborhoods, not just city averages.
- Check commute routes after dark, not only daytime convenience.
- Look for trade-offs between affordability, access, and perceived safety.
Traffic & Commute Reality
Traffic quality is not just about how many roads exist. It is about whether the city gives you enough route options to handle daily commuting, errands, and regional travel.
How travel may feel here
Des Moines, IA has workable everyday connectivity, though travel times can stretch depending on commute direction and time of day. A few strong road connections help with local and regional travel, but commute quality will still depend heavily on where you live and where you work.
Why this matters
Cities with stronger access routes usually feel easier for airport runs, cross-town errands, and commuting to job centers. That does not eliminate congestion, but it does improve flexibility when one corridor slows down.
Primary Access & Connectivity
These are some of the main road connections near Des Moines, IA. They help show how easy it is to move around locally, reach job centers, and make longer regional trips.
Interstate 80
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Interstate 35
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.