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Des Moines, Iowa Retirement Guide
affordable cost of livingestablished retirement community
56
Retirement Score
Des Moines, Iowa at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $178,600
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
- Avg January Low
- 46.5°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- affordable cost of living, established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 56 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$178,600High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$982High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
22.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
40.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
22.1 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
86.8°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
46.5°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
27.7"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
335 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
74.1 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
23.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
213,164High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
34.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
12.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$62,378High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
60.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
5.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
28.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
15.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
69.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
11.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
14.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
6.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Des Moines using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$387
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$435
Median home price used: $178,600
Median rent reference: $982 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.