Housing Options in Greater Des Moines

Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous home with historic roots, a classic suburban abode on a quiet street, a loft in a bustling neighborhood, or an acreage, you’ll find it in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Our housing options fit a wide variety of lifestyles and budgets. Did you know that DSM is a Top 10 Most Affordable Place for Gen Z Homebuyers (Fortune, 2026)? No matter what you’re looking for, DSM is ready to welcome you home.  

Whether buying or renting, both new and old neighborhoods offer residents the chance to discover their perfect fit. The diverse communities of the region are ready to welcome you home. From first-time buyers to growing families and downsizers, DSM offers options for every stage of life.

Find Your Communitya woman and her dog in front of an a-frame house

Alongside finding the right house in Greater Des Moines, you want to make sure it’s in a community and neighborhood that meets your needs and fits your life.

The region includes an established Downtown and neighborhoods like Beaverdale and Waterbury in the city of Des Moines. Head out to the suburbs closest to Des Moines, like Clive, West Des Moines and Urbandale where you’ll find neighborhoods with new construction and homes that are 20-30 years old and pockets of charming mid-century homes, shaded by big trees.

Check Out Des Moines Neighborhoods

Other towns like Ankeny, Altoona, Waukee and Bondurant are located on the outer rings of the Des Moines region and also offer a similar housing mix of primarily new construction, 20-30-year old homes and pockets of mid-century housing. Towns on the outer edges of the region each have a unique offering. Many towns have newer housing developments, but you’ll also find houses in every style and age, dating back a century (or more!). 

Search to find your community fit, whether in Small Towns and Outer Suburbs or Suburbs and City Core.

Buying a Home in Greater Des Moines

The DSM real estate market is booming, but affordability remains strong. Homes in DSM are more affordable than the national average, and residents can buy more while spending less. While the market remains competitive, Greater Des Moines continues to be more affordable than many comparable metro areas, allowing buyers to get more value for their investment.

In this hot market, you’ll want a great realtor to help you navigate the buying process. Check out the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s real estate directory to connect with a local agent.

The Des Moines Area Association of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines are also two valuable resources.

boy on a swing posing with family members

Tips for Finding a House in Greater Des Moines

Here are a few tips to help you navigate the homebuying process in Greater Des Moines: 

  • Do your homework: find a real estate agent and mortgage lender you trust.
  • Know your budget: prevent future stress by knowing the maximum you’re comfortable putting down and carrying as a mortgage payment.
  • Be prepared to act when you find the right home: while the market has become more balanced, desirable homes can still move quickly. If you've toured a home and are interested, be ready to make an offer as soon as possible. 
  • Be flexible and open-minded: inventory and pricing can vary by neighborhood, so staying open to different options can help you find the right fit. 

Learn About Unique Housing Options

Incentive and Support Programs

Tap into many of the programs available to home buyers in Greater Des Moines to support your home sweet home dreams. Your realtor will also be a wealth of information on programs, incentives and more. As you are looking at properties in various cities, check out what municipality-specific programs the city government may offer on homes within their jurisdiction. For example, the City of Des Moines offers an employee residency incentive program for full-time city employees. Through the program, employees who purchase or own a home in Des Moines may be eligible for a $15,000 forgivable loan, while those who rent may receive incentive payments totaling $2,000. 

A few programs to have on your house hunting radar: 

  • Home, Inc. is the oldest private nonprofit housing organization in Des Moines and provides counseling and services to homebuyers and supports home building and revitalizations. The organization supports clients during their housing journeys to empower them to make a safe, stable home. 
  • Invest DSM, a collaboration between Des Moines and Polk County, is a neighborhood revitalization program and works in four Special Investment Districts across the city of Des Moines. Their programs include a block challenge grant and a homeowner renovation program. 
  • Iowa Finance Authority has several homeownership programs for Iowans that cover mortgage, down payment and closing cost assistance. (New homeowners, be sure to tap into the FirstHome program.) 
  • Make Marshalltown Home is a homebuyers cash incentive program which offers $10,000 to homebuyers of newly constructed homes with a construction value of at least $180,000 at the time of the closing. The program is led by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Marshalltown. 
  • Neighborhood Finance Corporation provides unique lending programs and other services to facilitate neighborhood revitalization. The Greater DSM program partners with the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights and Urbandale, Polk County and area financial institutions and neighborhood associations. Homeowners can tap into their down payment programs and loan programs for home improvements, energy efficiency and more.  

Renting in Greater Des Moinesa young woman walking a dog with townhomes and apartments behind her.

Whether you’re a young professional or an empty nester, the region includes many options for apartments, houses, townhomes and lofts available to rent in DSM. Cost varies depending on what type of space you’re looking to make your home and where in the region you’ll be living. 

In Downtown DSM, apartment complexes like The Edge at Gray's Landing, The Aston in the Historic East Village or Fourth + Court in Historic Court District offer living in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Across the region, check out apartments in West Des Moines like PrairieGrass at Jordan Creek, Fireside at Waukee or The Sterling at Prairie Trail in Ankeny.

Rental options in DSM remain competitive, with a range of price points depending on location, amenities and housing type, and strong demand across the region.

Learn About Unique Apartment Options

Find Your Perfect Community! 

Each community in DSM offers something unique and with easy commute times, it’s easy to get around between home, work and fun. Meet our communities and find your place. Not sure where to start? Take the “Where Should I Live?” quiz to find your best fit. Our relocation guide can help you decide where to make your move to DSM, too,  so click the link below to order one and find out how to build your life in DSM!

Make Your Move to DSM