Des Moines County, Iowa Housing Market
In Des Moines County, Iowa, the median home value is $136,500, with a median monthly rent of $904. This places Des Moines County at #2412 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #76 within Iowa.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,061
- Establishments: 1,339
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 19
- Multi-family: 62
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 16,598 (avg $70,464)
- Outflow: 15,764 (avg $70,787)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 4 active ZIP codes in Des Moines County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52655 | 213.5 | +12.00% | 2025 |
| 2 | 52637 | 214.2 | +7.20% | 2025 |
| 3 | 52601 | 187.4 | +3.89% | 2025 |
| 4 | 52645 | 155.9 | -3.46% | 2022 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
How Des Moines County Compares
| Metric | Des Moines County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $136,500 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $904 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 74.6% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 12.6 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Des Moines County is 20.2% below the Iowa state average and 40.1% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $904/month is 8.7% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 12.6, buying a home in Des Moines County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
Des Moines County has an owner-occupancy rate of 74.6%, compared to 75.8% in Iowa and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escambia County | Alabama | $136,500 | $766 |
| Seward County | Kansas | $136,500 | $905 |
| Barton County | Missouri | $136,500 | $805 |
| Cameron County | Texas | $136,500 | $912 |
| Walworth County | South Dakota | $136,600 | $926 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | $136,800 | $881 | 76.5% |
| Winnebago County | $135,000 | $717 | 70.6% |
| Adams County | $131,600 | $893 | 77.1% |
| Hancock County | $141,400 | $736 | 82.5% |
| Lee County | $141,400 | $835 | 76.3% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).