West Des Moines, IA—50265
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Other Zip Codes in West Des Moines, IA
Home Price Trends — West Des Moines, IA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in West Des Moines, IA is $307,000, with a year-over-year change of 2.2%. This indicates that home prices in West Des Moines, IA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.3%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $307,000 | 2.2% |
| Single Family | $319,000 | 2.2% |
| Condos | $212,000 | -5.4% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $282,000 | 3.3% |
2 Bed | $214,000 | 2.4% |
3 Bed | $298,000 | 2.4% |
4 Bed | $388,000 | 1.8% |
| 5 Bed | $621,000 | 1.3% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — West Des Moines, IA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in West Des Moines, IA is $1,480, with a year-over-year rent change of 11.3%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in West Des Moines, IA is studios: $825, 1-bedrooms: $944, 2-bedrooms: $1,180, 3-bedrooms: $1,900, 4-bedrooms: $2,660. The most common rental property sizes in West Des Moines, IA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 62.2% and 19.8% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,480 |
| Studio Rent | $825 | $825 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $875 | $944 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,000 | $1,180 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,880 | $1,900 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,400 | $2,660 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — West Des Moines, IA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in West Des Moines, IA is 48. This is a decrease of -3.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 39.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $337,000 | -4.0% |
Listing Count | 157 | 7.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.6% | 7.0% |
Days on Market | 48 | -3.0% |
Demographics — West Des Moines, IA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, West Des Moines, IA has a population of 33,100, which has increased by 2.9% over the past 5 years. West Des Moines, IA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 23.1% of the population. The area has a highly educated workforce, with 48.5% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 14.8% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 33,100 | 2.9% |
% Under 18 | 23.1% | -0.9% |
% Seniors | 16.1% | 8.1% |
% WFH | 14.8% | 279.5% |
% w/ College Degree | 48.5% | -0.4% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, West Des Moines, IA is a predominantly white area, with 76.6% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 4.2% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in West Des Moines, IA is hispanic, making up 7.2% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 10.4% of the population in West Des Moines, IA, and this percentage has increased by 2.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 76.6% | -4.2% |
% Black | 4.3% | -20.4% |
% Hispanic | 7.2% | -2.7% |
% Asian | 6.7% | 24.1% |
% Foreign Born | 10.4% | 2.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — West Des Moines, IA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 259 mortgage originations in West Des Moines, IA, of which 90.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 57.0%, with 22.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in West Des Moines, IA. Investor activity is low, as 7.0% of loans were by investors. 8.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 259 |
% Conventional Loans | 90.0% |
% Government Loans | 10.0% |
% Investor Loans | 7.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 8.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — West Des Moines, IA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in West Des Moines, IA under the Section 8 program is 4.0%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in West Des Moines, IA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 185 |
Total Units Section 8 | 185 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 4.0% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 80.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $115 | $875 | $990 |
| 2 Bedroom | $180 | $1,000 | $1,180 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$300 | $1,880 | $1,580 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$810 | $2,400 | $1,590 |
Affordability — West Des Moines, IA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.3 |
| Median Home Price | $307,000 |
| Median Household Income | $84,600 |