A Snapshot of Des Moines, Iowa
Stretched across the banks of Iowa’s central riverways, where prairie lands and farmlands bloom into a bustling downtown scene, lies one of the Midwest’s most significant cities — Des Moines. With 210,000 residents in the city and nearly 708,000 in the greater metro area, Des Moines is by far the largest city in the state of Iowa. But the capital city has the cultural and economic resources of one twice its size, which may be why nearly 7,000 people have moved here since 2010.
With a reputation for being friendly and approachable, Des Moines is also a decisive leader of industry. The Iowa state capital is one of the nation’s capitals of insurance, though food distribution and processing, agricultural and residential manufacturing and transportation are all keystones of commerce here. Des Moines is the headquarters of Wells Fargo, Nationwide, Hy-Vee, Pella and Principal, along with many other critical businesses.
But the cultural side of the city has equally deep roots. The renowned Des Moines Art Center, the Des Moines Civic Center, and the fantastic children’s museum, science center and zoo are just a few of the stand-out venues in the capital. Drake University brings Division-I sports to the city, though the minor-league pro teams like the Cubs, the Wolves and the Wild have an ardent fanbase, too.
When the weather is pleasant, Des Moines residents can enjoy the spoils of Iowa’s tranquil landscape, on camping trips to Walnut Woods State Park, on cycling adventures on the High Trestle Trail and experiencing everyday thrills at the Lauridsen Skate Park downtown. And let’s not forget the city’s biggest outdoor attraction — the Iowa State Fair — which turns 11 warm August days into the hottest weeks of the year.
If you are looking for a welcoming and well-situated Midwestern city to call home, consider moving to Des Moines. Learn more about the Iowa state capital below in our moving guide, where we’ll discuss the cost of living, the job market, popular neighborhoods and fun things to do in Des Moines.
Cost of Living in Des Moines
Des Moines may be the biggest city in the state but it’s also, surprisingly, one of its most affordable. The median home value in the Iowa state capital is just $183,700 — more than $10K below the state average and just over half the average cost of homes nationwide. At $1,054 rental rates in Des Moines also offer considerable savings, but interestingly, these do exceed the statewide median. Home ownership rates in the city of Des Moines averaged 60.4% between 2019 and 2023 — a bit lower than the national and Iowa averages — but this discrepancy isn’t necessarily surprising, given the amount of rural area statewide.
Wages in Des Moines tend to be lower than in other cities in the country. The median household income in the Iowa state capital is just $63,966 — far below the state median of $73,147 and the national average of $78,538. If you are moving here for your career, it is possible that your paycheck may be smaller than you’re accustomed to.
Want to estimate your family’s expenses in Des Moines? Try this Cost of Living calculator to see how your finances might shift.
Job Opportunities in Des Moines
If you’re moving to Des Moines for your career, you’ll find a (perhaps) surprisingly wide range of industries awaiting you. Despite being firmly embedded in the nation’s breadbasket, Des Moines is also a financial powerhouse and a leader in business and healthcare. Drake and Grand View Universities offer graduate programs, so if you’re looking to earn an advanced degree while you work, these institutions may have options to help you advance in your current career or pivot to a new one.
The largest industry in Des Moines is trade, transportation and utilities, which employes 79,000 people in the region, thanks to major players like UPS and Amazon. Professional and business services and financial activities each employ more than 51,000 people, and though they suffered noticeable losses over the past year (-4.6% and -4.7%, respectively), they are also anchored by heavyweights like Wells Fargo, Principal and Nationwide, all of which maintain their headquarters in the area. In fact, Des Moines is one of the insurance capitals of the U.S., an impressive feat for a Midwestern city of only 210,000 people.
The education and health services sector supplies 60,000 jobs in the area — a gain of more than 5% over the past 12 months. MercyOne employs more than 5,500 people alone, and UnityPoint Health supports another 5,100 workers. Drake University and Grinnell College provide a diverse range of jobs and a well-educated workforce to the region.
Of course, manufacturing and agriculturally related industries can’t be underestimated either. Hy-Vee is the single largest employer in Des Moines, and other powerhouses like John Deere, Tyson, Jeld-Wen and Smithfield are just a few of the household names with hubs in the capital city.
Although the unemployment rate in Des Moines is on the rise — swelling from 2.5% in December 2023 to 3.1% in December of 2024 — the figure still trails the national average by more than half a point.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Des Moines
If you’re thinking of moving to Des Moines, there are lots of neighborhoods to consider putting down roots in. Here are three of the most popular regions of the city. Be sure to check out all the possibilities to see which one feels right for your family.
Downtown Des Moines is the cultural and economic heart of the city. Swanky lofts, cozy condos, townhomes and modern apartments abound in the city center, and you’ll find units with easy access to institutions like the Science Center of Iowa and the Des Moines Civic Center, where you can catch the best of the performing arts. You can walk to work and your new favorite dining spots, like Bubba’s, which specializes in Southern staples but still serves a mean Iowa pork chop, or Fresko, which is a brunchtime must (try the banana pecan cakes or the Moroccan eggs).
Just five miles northwest of downtown, Beaverdale is one of Des Moines’ largest and most popular suburbs. Spacious parks and historic homes give the area a timeless appeal, and there are well-respected schools — both public and private — throughout the area. Most houses are modestly sized but well-appointed, regardless of their age, and prices here are considerably above average for Des Moines, but in line with the national average. Beaverdale is certainly a lovely place for walking, even though it isn’t a totally walkable region — you’ll likely rely on your car to ferry you between work and home, but kids can bike to school and there are plenty of neighborhood haunts to keep everyone happy without piling in the minivan. Basic Bird, a Korean chicken, fast-casual joint is one of our faves, and Snookies Malt Shop is cones-down the best place for soft serve in the city.
Those looking for the ultimate in suburban conveniences should check out West Des Moines, a sprawling area that spans I-35. Most houses are on the newer side here, though you’ll find an incredible range, from modest ranches to marble-interior mansions. One of the big appeals to West Des Moines is the incredible natural resources. You can spend the weekend on the beach at Blue Heron Lake, fishing at Maffitt Lake or camping in Walnut Woods State Park, where lucky visitors can spy purple martins swooping for their supper in the summer, or nesting bald eagles perched high above cross-country skiers in the wintertime.
Entertainment and Recreation in Des Moines
Of all the carnivals and agricultural expos in the nation, one stands out consistently above the rest — the Iowa State Fair. This annual celebration is known for its butter cow, its fried food and its blue-ribbon baked goods, and it’s your chance to attend the biggest party the state throws all year. For 11 days, the State Fairgrounds will be crowded with visitors from all over the globe — roughly 1.2 million people attended the 2024 fair — and this best-of local showcase just might be the state’s most international event.
During the 354 days the fair is not running, you can still get your fill of local fare at Des Moines’ Downtown Farmer’s Market. Shopping is open on Saturdays May-October, and the Winter Market moves things indoors when the cold weather arrives. Across the river, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is an oasis in any season. In the springtime, thousands of bulbs dazzle visitors with their colorful display, but the wintertime brings fun activities like wreath-making workshops and Dome for the Holidays, a twinkly light wonderland in the geodesic conservatory, where the air is always tropical.
Thanks to its shimmering dome and many gold accents, you’ll be able to spot the Iowa State Capitol from quite a distance. The opulent, 19th-century building receives more than 75,000 visitors each year, who marvel at details like the illuminated, marble statues adorning the grand staircase, the Westward mural and the intricate mosaics above it and, of course, the Iowa Senate Chamber, where state representatives still use the original desks that their forebears pounded their fists upon in civil disagreement.
Des Moines may not have any major-league athletics, but it’s still home to a robust pro-sports scene. The MiLB Iowa Cubs are the fan-favorites, but the Iowa Wolves (NBA’s G-League), the Iowa Barnstormers (indoor football), the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), the Iowa Wild (AHL) and the Des Moines Menace (USL League Two) draw spirited crowds of their own.
The city’s real claim to fame, though, may be its amateurs. The Drake Relays bring the world’s hottest rising stars to the track each spring, including many Olympic hopefuls who have gone on to championship careers. The Drake Bulldogs are a Division-I team in the Missouri Valley Conference, and in the spring of 2024, they won their first All-Sports Championship ever, capping off a season with team victories in several sports, including basketball, soccer and cross-country.
With so many beautiful greenspaces, Des Moines is a great place to get outdoors. If you’re looking for a day of fun on the water, bring your crew to Gray’s Lake Park, where you can rent canoes, paddleboards and even sailboats. The concession stand is open all summer long, too. Once spring has officially arrived, drive up to Water Works Park to take in the rosy aroma of the flowering crabapples in the arboretum, where you’ll find over 300 varieties of the tree.
The Des Moines Art Center is one of the finest museums in the region. The architecture alone is droolworthy — the three buildings in the complex were designed by Richard Meier, Eero Saarinen and I.M. Pei. But one of the best spots in the arts complex is the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, which has four acres of accessible, outdoor works to enjoy. You’ll see Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture and visitors in the know will immediately recognize monumental works by Mark di Suvero, Yayoi Kusama, Martin Puryear and many others.
When you really want an adventure, grab your bikes and hop on the High Trestle Trail, a converted railway that runs for 25 miles throughout the state. Des Moines residents have the sweet spot on this beloved pathway — the 13-story-high bridge crossing the Des Moines River. This prime perch offers spectacular views of the city and is a spectacular sight of its own, particularly at night when its distinctive geometry is illuminated in colorful lights.
Plan Your Move to Des Moines with America’s #1 Mover®
Your Des Moines adventure awaits! Professional movers from United Van Lines can help you move to Des Moines no matter where you are currently living in the U.S. Let us prepare a moving quote for you and show you all the ways United can make your move a seamless experience.
Get a moving quote right now for Des Moines.
United’s professional, long-distance movers can help you relocate from anywhere in the country. Our full-service moving packages include these essential services:
- A personal move coordinator for your entire move
- Loading, transporting and unloading of household belongings
- Full-value protection (unless waived)
- Standard transport of appliances (service disconnect/connect not included)
- Standard furniture placement
And you can add as many more services as you need, like packing and unpacking, storage, debris removal, car shipping and more.
Looking for a local mover in Des Moines? United’s interstate Des Moines agents/movers can provide local moving services in the greater Des Moines area and Iowa independently under their businesses and brands.
However you decide to move, hiring a professional mover or doing it yourself, you’ll never miss a beat if you follow our week-by-week moving checklist. Our digital moving magazines have all the moving advice you need to move the easy way. Get our pro tips on packing and settling in and check out our other guides to popular cities and states around the country.
Millions of families have turned to United — for America’s #1 Mover® for their moves over the past 90+ years.
Other Moving Resources
- Loading...