Des Moines, IA

• Livability Partner
• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Des Moines, IA? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Des Moines, IA

For Midwest living at its best, set your sights on Des Moines, IA (P.S., those Ss are silent). Centrally located in the middle of the state, Des Moines is a crossroads of culture, commerce and heritage. With a bustling farmers market, plenty of indoor and outdoor museums, historic landmark botanical gardens, trendy restaurants, more than 80 miles of trails and a fantastic art scene, Des Moines has a little something for everyone. Those unacquainted with Des Moines are often surprised by the variety of activities and fun available. Arts are big here – the popular Moberg Gallery of contemporary art, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the Des Moines Arts Festival are cultural cornerstones of the community.

Thanks to its amenities, high salaries and low cost of living, Des Moines is one of the best places to live in the U.S. The friendly communities and short commutes are a plus, too. From family-friendly neighborhoods in the ‘burbs to hot neighborhoods like Historic East Village for young professionals to the plethora of apartments along Grand Avenue for college students, residents have options. And don’t forget opportunity: startups based in Iowa’s capital city thrive in a collaborative, inspiring business climate, and have a strong presence here. Several studies, reports and citizens are also quick to tell you about the community’s friendliness. The community’s inviting nature could also be tied to the city’s strong job market. Many young professionals are drawn to the city for its growing economy and startup scene.

Top Reasons to Move to Des Moines

• The job market in Des Moines is great, especially for those in the insurance industry – more than 80 insurance companies are based there!
• Des Moines is a cultural destination, known for the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and a hidden gem of the Midwest.
• Living in Des Moines is remarkably affordable, offering high salaries paired with lower-than-average housing costs.
• Life in Des Moines is convenient, with an 80-mile trail system, short commute times and a famously friendly community.

Des Moines is the inviting capital of Iowa, located in the state’s south-central heart. It sits at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and at a major Midwestern crossroads, where Interstate 35 and I-80 intersect, making it a primary stop for anyone traveling across the country. The Des Moines International Airport is just five miles south of the city center. When you’re ready to leave the Corn Belt, here are some nearby cities:

• Omaha, NE, is about 135 miles west, home to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the College World Series.
• Kansas City, MO, sits 195 miles south, tempting visitors with legendary barbecue and Chiefs games at Arrowhead Stadium (for now!).
• Minneapolis, MN, is about 245 miles north, where you can visit the Walker Art Center, roam the Sculpture Garden or cheer at U.S. Bank Stadium.

A humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters, characterizes the local weather. Residents will appreciate all four seasons with clear skies. 

The Des Moines economy is robust, and the job market is varied. Finance and insurance, advanced manufacturing and technology are the largest industries in Des Moines. There are plenty of startups around town, and the city is known for its insurance agent market. In fact, the greater Des Moines area is home to more than 80 insurance companies. Some of the largest employers are Wells Fargo, UnityPoint Health and MercyOne. 

The cost of living in Des Moines is lower than the national average. The median home value in Des Moines is $211,651, and the average household income is $66,188.

Iowa has a state income tax, and those living in Des Moines can expect a combined sales tax rate of 7.0% in 2026.  

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Des Moines residents have no shortage of fun things to do. This Midwestern hotspot is a destination for the arts and entertainment. Of course, there is the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Still, Des Moines residents can take in a world-class symphony, Iowa’s only ballet company and several galleries and exhibits. Families frequent spots like the Blank Park Zoo, Living History Farms and Adventureland. For a literal look into the city’s roots, the State Historical Museum of Iowa showcases a wide range of artifacts.

The social scene in Des Moines is as varied as its neighborhoods. There are a number of annual events and festivals, including the Des Moines Arts Festival, Capital City Pride Festival and the World Food & Music Festival. Spend Saturdays from May to October at the Downtown Farmer’s Market loading up on fresh veggies, locally baked pastries, hot coffee and homemade arts and crafts in the Historic Court District. Shop until you drop at the eclectic boutiques in the Historic East Village, home to the famous RAYGUN, or wander through the antique-filled streets of Historic Valley Junction. For a high-energy afternoon, the Lauridsen Skatepark is 88,000 square feet of skateable art on the riverfront – the largest in the country! Tour the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol, stroll through the tropical conservatory at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden or catch a show at Wooly’s, a dive on the east side.

There is nothing mid about the outdoors in this Midwestern city. Des Moines is built around an expansive network of more than 800 miles of connected trails that link the urban city centers to quiet prairie landscapes. Gray’s Lake Park is a central hub with a lighted 1.9-mile trail that hugs the water’s edge and a colorful pedestrian bridge that offers views of the downtown Des Moines skyline. Just across the way is the 1,500-acre Water Works Park, which is nearly twice the size of New York’s Central Park and features woodlands, the Lauridsen Amphitheater and the Arie den Boer Arboretum, famous for its flowering crabapple trees. Greenwood-Ashworth Park is particularly family-friendly with a newly renovated playground and a splash pad. Or grab the kids and visit the inclusive Ashley Okland Star Playground at Ewing Park, where children of all abilities can play together. The City of Des Moines manages 92 parks covering 4,000 acres, but perhaps the most popular is the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a world-class outdoor gallery in the heart of the city, housing more than two dozen massive works of art.

The region is full of several different waterways and specialized parks to provide variety for active residents. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are popular at Gray’s Lake, and the Des Moines River Water Trail offers miles of floating for canoers. For those who prefer to be on solid ground, Ewing Park and Grandview Park boast top-tier 18-hole disc golf courses among the best in the Midwest. Pup owners have access to several off-leash retreats, including the wooded Ewing Dog Park and Riverwalk Dog Park near downtown. Golfers can tee off at one of the area’s high-quality courses, like Waveland, the oldest municipal course west of the Mississippi. For those who are feeling more fearless, cycle across the 13-story-high High Trestle Trail Bridge or visit Lauridsen Skatepark, the largest in the country.

Des Moines is a culinary powerhouse, blending high-end innovation and Midwestern favorites. The city’s dining scene is famous for “Steak de Burgo” – a local specialty of tender beef covered in garlic, butter and herb sauce – served at institutions like Simon’s or 801 Chophouse. For a quintessentially Des Moines dining experience, try the Crab Rangoon Pizza at Fong’s or grab a burger from Zombie Burger + Shake Lab. Make way to the East Village and Ingersoll Avenue neighborhoods, which have become hotspots for James Beard-nominated talent.

The craft beer culture in Des Moines is equally robust, and breweries are community gathering spots. After an afternoon on the trails, stop by Confluence Brewing Company, or step into Exile Brewing Company’s Bavarian-style beer hall. If you want to sample everything at once, the Iowa Taproom in the East Village features nearly 100 all-Iowa taps.

Des Moines is home to the state’s largest and most diverse school district. Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) serves more than 30,000 students and was the first in Iowa to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which is now available at several elementary, middle and high schools across the state. The district features several specialty schools, like the Downtown School and Central Academy. For families seeking technical or career-oriented educational institutions, the district’s Central Campus offers more than a dozen career academies, ranging from aviation technology to engineering to nursing. Beyond the public schools, Des Moines offers a wide range of private and parochial schools.