West Des Moines, Iowa has an overall cost of living index of 92.8, which is 7.2 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,237 per month, while the typical home is valued around $309,000. Households earn a median of $86,594 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$86,594
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,237
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$309,000
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
92.8
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,063
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,109
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,318
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,794
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
92.8
Goods
96.6
Rents / Housing
86.0
Services
88.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $119,860 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $79,650 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $56,320 |
| ⚡Electrician | $67,140 |
| 📊Accountant | $83,750 |
| 🔧Plumber | $67,610 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $245,340 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $97,420 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $112,810 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $83,810 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $122,380 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $61,030 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
71,083
Latest estimate
Median Age
36 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
49
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,059
Per month
Avg Home Value
$210,150
Census ACS
January Avg
23°F
July Avg
76°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
50.8
fair
Hospitals
25
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
95.2%
What is the cost of living index for West Des Moines?
West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 92.8. The US national average is 100, so West Des Moines is 7.2 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in West Des Moines?
The median gross rent in West Des Moines is $1,237 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in West Des Moines?
The median household income in West Des Moines is $86,594 per year.
What is the median home value in West Des Moines?
The median home value in West Des Moines is $309,000 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in West Des Moines?
Air quality data for West Des Moines is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in West Des Moines?
Tax data for Iowa is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
