Photo by Maxime Vermeil (@max.vrm) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@maxvrm)
West Des Moines, Iowa Retirement Guide
established retirement community
69
Retirement Score
West Des Moines, Iowa at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $296,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
- Avg January Low
- 13.3°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 69 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$296,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,211High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
100 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
43.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information + RetireCityIQ nearest-hospital radius model · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
84°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Avg January Low
13.3°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Annual Precipitation
31.4"High confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Sunny Days / Year
290 daysHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
7.8 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
68,744High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
36.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
14.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$82,345High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
58.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
5.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
53.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
7.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
81.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
4.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
6.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in West Des Moines using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$642
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$721
Median home price used: $296,200
Median rent reference: $1,211 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
BOYLE CAPITAL
BOYLE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
WEALTH ADVISORS OF IOWA, LLC
FOSTER GROUP, INC.
+38 more financial advisors available