Des Moines Real Estate

Des Moines is the anchor of everything in Central Iowa - the state capital (212,086 people in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate), and the job engine every surrounding suburb commutes into. I work this whole metro every day, and here's the honest read: Des Moines gives buyers something the outer suburbs can't - real character, walkable historic neighborhoods, and some of the most approachable price points in the region. If you want to be close to work, close to the action, and buy something with a story, the city itself belongs on your list.

Overview

Why buyers keep coming back to Des Moines

The suburbs get a lot of the growth headlines, but the city core has its own pull. In my experience, three things bring buyers here:

• Affordability with upside. The city's median sale price has been running near $200,000 (roughly flat year over year, up around half a percent), which is meaningfully below the metro's new-construction suburbs. For first-time buyers and investors, that's room to work.
• The jobs are here. Downtown Des Moines is the headquarters home of Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and EMC Insurance, plus major operations for Wells Fargo, Nationwide, and Voya - and it's the seat of Iowa state government. Living in the city means a short commute instead of a long one.
• Neighborhoods with character. Sherman Hill Victorians, Beaverdale bricks, the East Village, South of Grand - these are established, walkable, tree-lined areas you simply can't build new. Buyers who value character over drywall smell gravitate here.

Des Moines neighborhoods - where to start your search

Here's something I tell every buyer: Des Moines isn't one market. It's a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own price band and personality - and knowing the difference up front saves you weeks of touring the wrong homes. Price bands below reflect mid-2026 conditions and move month to month. For a current buyer's read on prices and how to land the right home, see my guide to homes for sale in Des Moines.

East Village - The trendy district just east of the river, below the Capitol. Renovated lofts, condos, and close-in homes within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Roughly $250K - $450K+ depending on square footage and finish. Best for: buyers who want walkability and downtown energy.

Sherman Hill - The city's historic showpiece: grand Victorians, brick streets, an active preservation community. Wide range, roughly $200K - $500K+, from fixers to fully restored. Best for: buyers who want architecture and character, and don't mind older-home maintenance.

South of Grand / Ingersoll - Woodland Heights (50312) - Established, higher-end pocket west of downtown with mature trees and a walkable Ingersoll Avenue corridor. Prices run from the mid $200Ks well past $1M for the premier streets. Best for: move-up buyers who want established prestige near the core.

Beaverdale - Famous for its "Beaverdale brick" Tudors, a genuine neighborhood main street, and a strong community feel on the northwest side. Roughly $180K - $400K. Best for: buyers who want character housing stock at an approachable price.

Drake neighborhood - Around Drake University, a mix of older single-family homes, up-down duplexes, and student rentals (ZIP 50311). Roughly $130K - $350K. Best for: house hackers and investors who want built-in rental demand.

Downtown lofts & Gray's Lake area - Downtown condos and loft conversions run roughly $150K - $400K; the Gray's Lake/South Side area offers close-in single-family near one of the city's best parks. Best for: low-maintenance, lock-and-leave living or trail-and-lake access.

What the Des Moines market looks like right now

Des Moines in 2026 is a stable, affordable market - a real contrast to the frenzy of a few years back. A few patterns I'm watching:

• Pricing is flat-to-slightly-up. The median sale price has hovered near $200,000, up roughly half a percent year over year - steady, not spiking. That predictability is a feature for buyers who plan to hold.
• The pace is brisk but sane. Well-priced homes have been going to pending in about 26 days. Move-in-ready homes in popular neighborhoods still draw quick offers; dated or overpriced listings sit.
• Older housing stock is the norm. A large share of Des Moines homes were built decades ago, so inspections and condition matter more here than in a new-build suburb. That's not a negative - it's where the character and the value live - but budget for it.
• Rental demand is strong. Renters make up roughly a third of the city, and demand from downtown employers, Drake University, and Des Moines University keeps well-located rentals moving.

I send a free Central Iowa market report every month with the actual numbers. Get on the list at Jackson's Hub →

House hacking in Des Moines

House hacking is one of my specialties, and Des Moines is genuinely one of the better markets for it in the metro. Three reasons:

1. Duplexes and older housing stock. The city's core neighborhoods - Drake, Highland Park, Sherman Hill, near downtown - are full of duplexes and large older homes that convert well. Live in one unit, rent the other.
2. Approachable entry prices. With a median near $200K, the math has a real chance to pencil at price points a first-time buyer can actually reach.
3. Built-in rental demand. Downtown workers, Drake University, and Des Moines University students all need housing. Well-located rentals near those anchors tend to lease quickly.

If you're investment-minded and early in your career, this is a strategy worth running the numbers on. Full house hacking playbook here →

What clients say about working with me

Schools in Des Moines

Most of the city is served by Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) - the district that serves most of the city; edges of Des Moines fall in neighboring districts. DMPS runs five comprehensive high schools: East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt.

One important note for buyers: because the city is large, its edges touch other districts - including Southeast Polk, Johnston, West Des Moines Community, Saydel, and Carlisle. Attendance boundaries don't follow city limits, so always verify the district and attendance zone for a specific address. I keep a separate deep-dive on Des Moines schools if you want every detail.

Things to do in Des Moines

• East Village - walkable shops, restaurants, and coffee below the Capitol
• Gray's Lake Park - lake, trails, and one of the best skyline views in the city
• Downtown Farmers' Market - downtown on seasonal Saturdays
• Principal Park - home of the Iowa Cubs, right on the river downtown
• John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park - free, open-air sculpture park downtown
• Des Moines Art Center + the downtown skywalk - culture and a four-mile connected walkway

Commute + connections

Des Moines sits at the crossroads of the metro. I-235 cuts straight through downtown and connects to the I-35/I-80 beltway on the north and east sides, putting West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Ankeny, and Altoona within a 15-25 minute drive. Downtown itself sits at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Beyond the commute, my guide to living in Des Moines, Iowa covers the historic neighborhoods, major employers and housing market.

Ready to make a move in Des Moines?

Whether you're a first-time buyer, a house hacker, or looking to move up, Des Moines rewards buyers who know the neighborhoods and can move with confidence when the right home shows up. I live and work this market every day, and I'm happy to help you get your bearings - no pressure. Let's set up a free 15-minute conversation:

• 📱 Call or text Jackson - 515-490-8614
• ✉️ Jackson@FlandersTeam.com
• 🏠 Visit Jackson's Hub for the full Central Iowa playbook →

Nearby Central Iowa communities

Comparing the city to the suburbs? Urbandale sits just northwest with established neighborhoods and easy I-35/80 access. Clive runs along the greenbelt on the west side. Johnston is north of the city with a well-regarded district, and Altoona is on the fast-growing east side off I-80.

Jackson Krile is a REALTOR® on the Flanders Team at RE/MAX Real Estate Center. Licensed in Iowa #S66867000. DMAAR + CIBR member. Serving Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Altoona, and surrounding Central Iowa communities.