West Des Moines is a mid-sized city of 68,744 in Iowa, with a median household income of $82,345
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Des Moines stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether West Des Moines is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Des Moines city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.7
West Des Moines's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Des Moines costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Des Moines, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$266,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,153
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
58.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$82,345
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Des Moines's violent crime rate is 165.0 per 100,000 residents
— 57% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
165.0 /100k
Property Crime
1714.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Des Moines is served primarily by West Des Moines Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Des Moines, IA
National Avg
School District
West Des Moines Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
53.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
96.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Des Moines sees average highs of 30.9°F in January
and 85.6°F in July,
with 37.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.5 inches of snow per year.
West Des Moines's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Des Moines roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $266,700 and median rent is $1,153/month.
West Des Moines's violent crime rate is 165.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1714.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Des Moines are operated by West Des Moines Comm School District.
The district has 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 53.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Des Moines, IA has a population of 68,744, a median household income of $82,345, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
West Des Moines averages 30.9°F in January and 85.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.3 inches
with about 36.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Des Moines, IA is covered by 5 ZIP codes: 50266, 50265, 50061, 50261, 50038.
The population of West Des Moines, Iowa is 68,744 with a median age of 36.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Des Moines: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $266,700, median household income $82,345, crime index 59 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Des Moines side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
