Quietly excellent value; flat in every sense. Median home price runs about $297K with an effective property tax near 1.52% — roughly $4,514/yr on the median home.
Scorecard
Dimension
Des Moines
Median home price
$297K
Effective property tax
1.52%
Tax friendliness
6/10
Winter mildness
3/10
Summer comfort
8/10
Walkability
6/10
Outdoor access
4/10
Culture & food
5/10
Healthcare
6/10
Airport connectivity
7/10
Schools
7/10
Safety
7/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
9/10
Growth trajectory
8/10
Who it fits: people who want life on foot, families weighing schools, budget-first buyers. Who should look elsewhere: anyone done with winter.