Smart Movers Club

    Moving to West Des Moines, IA

    Is West Des Moines a good place to live?

    Watch West Des Moines

    West Des Moines ranks #4 of 19 Iowa cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (71/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.7% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $286,300
    +7.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,194
    per month
    Household income
    $84,925
    median
    Unemployment
    2.5%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in West Des Moines

    The median home value in West Des Moines is $286,300 and median rent is $1,194 a month, against a median household income of $84,925. Homes cost about 3.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    West Des Moines crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Iowa the 2025 rate was 238 violent and 1,205 property crimes per 100,000 people — #40 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to West Des Moines, IA

    West Des Moines has about 69,893 residents, 2.5% unemployment and 36% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare West Des Moines with

    West Des Moines vs Des MoinesWest Des Moines vs Cedar RapidsWest Des Moines vs DavenportWest Des Moines vs Sioux CityWest Des Moines vs Iowa CityWest Des Moines vs AnkenyWest Des Moines vs WaterlooWest Des Moines vs Ames

    More: Where to move in Iowa · Best counties in Iowa

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report