Windsor Heights is a small town of 5,200 in Iowa, with a median household income of $85,055
and a 2.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Windsor Heights stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Windsor Heights is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Windsor Heights 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
Windsor Heights's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Windsor Heights costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Windsor Heights, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$234,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,207
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
77.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$85,055
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Windsor Heights's violent crime rate is 219.5 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
219.5 /100k
Property Crime
4609.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Windsor Heights is served primarily by Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Windsor Heights, IA
National Avg
School District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
38
—
Middle Schools
10
—
High Schools
6
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
42.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
98.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Windsor Heights sees average highs of 30.9°F in January
and 85.6°F in July,
with 37.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.5 inches of snow per year.
Windsor Heights's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Windsor Heights roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $234,700 and median rent is $1,207/month.
Windsor Heights's violent crime rate is 219.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 4609.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Windsor Heights are operated by Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
The district has 38 elementary, 10 middle, and 6 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 42.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Windsor Heights, IA has a population of 5,200, a median household income of $85,055, and an unemployment rate of 2.0%.
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.
Windsor Heights averages 30.9°F in January and 85.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.4 inches
with about 36.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Windsor Heights, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50324.
The population of Windsor Heights, Iowa is 5,200 with a median age of 41.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Windsor Heights: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $234,700, median household income $85,055, crime index 122 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Windsor Heights side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
