Buying Property in Des Moines as a Foreigner
Federal & Iowa tax facts for non-resident buyers, plus the latest market news.
Des Moines aggregates verified prices, gross rental yield and FEMA hazard risk across its neighborhoods. Figures below are area averages — use the index to drill into any neighborhood.
Every neighborhood in Des Moines, ranked by price, yield, hazard risk, liquidity and schools. Click any row to drill down.
| Name | Median $ | Yield | Risk | Liquidity | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WestwoodHood | $275,418 | 5.7% | 41 | 22 | 13 |
| Waveland WoodsHood | $232,431 | 4.6% | 36 | 24 | 13 |
| Waveland ParkHood | $232,431 | 4.6% | 41 | 24 | 13 |
| Watrous SouthHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 46 | 34 | 13 |
| Watrous HeightsHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 43 | 34 | 13 |
| WaterburyHood | $275,418 | 5.7% | 53 | 22 | 13 |
| Union ParkHood | $177,447 | 7.9% | 43 | 20 | 13 |
| Southwestern HillsHood | $379,887 | 3.1% | 35 | 14 | 13 |
| South Central DSMHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 44 | 34 | 13 |
| SomersetHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 49 | 34 | 13 |
| Sherman HillHood | $275,418 | 5.7% | 50 | 22 | 13 |
| Sheridan GardensHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 47 | 45 | 13 |
| River WoodsHood | $264,671 | 5.5% | 51 | 23 | 13 |
| River BendHood | $198,941 | 5.8% | 66 | 18 | 13 |
| Prospect ParkHood | $234,430 | 5.1% | 54 | 41 | 13 |
| Pioneer ParkHood | $264,671 | 5.5% | 51 | 23 | 13 |
| Oak ParkHood | $171,949 | 8.4% | 43 | 26 | 13 |
| North of GrandHood | $275,418 | 5.7% | 56 | 22 | 13 |
| Mondamin PresidentialHood | $198,941 | 5.8% | 48 | 18 | 13 |
| Merle HayHood | $234,430 | 5.1% | 49 | 41 | 13 |
| MeredithHood | $234,430 | 5.1% | 60 | 41 | 96 |
| McKinley School/Columbus ParkHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 47 | 34 | 13 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. ParkHood | $177,447 | 7.9% | 44 | 20 | 13 |
| Lower BeaverHood | $234,430 | 5.1% | 44 | 41 | 13 |
| Linden HeightsHood | $379,887 | 3.1% | 61 | 14 | 13 |
| Laurel HillHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 73 | 45 | 13 |
| Kirkwood GlenHood | $232,431 | 4.6% | 59 | 24 | 13 |
| King IrvingHood | $198,941 | 5.8% | 48 | 18 | 13 |
| Indianola HillsHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 46 | 34 | 13 |
| Highland ParkHood | $171,949 | 8.4% | 46 | 26 | 13 |
| GreenwoodHood | $275,418 | 5.7% | 60 | 22 | 13 |
| Gray's WoodsHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 57 | 45 | 13 |
| Grays LakeHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 48 | 34 | 13 |
| Garton WestHood | $171,949 | 8.4% | 74 | 26 | 13 |
| Fort Des MoinesHood | $198,191 | 6.8% | 51 | 34 | 13 |
| Fairmont ParkHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 53 | 45 | 13 |
| FairgroundHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 41 | 45 | 13 |
| East VillageHood | $312,107 | 4.8% | 37 | 13 | 13 |
| Easter Lake AreaHood | $264,671 | 5.5% | 53 | 23 | 13 |
| Drake ParkHood | $232,431 | 4.6% | 39 | 24 | 13 |
| DrakeHood | $232,431 | 4.6% | 50 | 24 | 13 |
| DowntownHood | $312,107 | 4.8% | 77 | 13 | 13 |
| Douglas AcresHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 46 | 45 | 13 |
| Capitol ParkHood | $177,447 | 7.9% | 49 | 20 | 13 |
| Capitol EastHood | $209,938 | 7.5% | 53 | 45 | 13 |
| BeaverdaleHood | $234,430 | 5.1% | 46 | 41 | 13 |
Jump to a neighboring city to compare markets.
FEMA National Risk Index across eight hazards.
| Year | Crimes / 1k | Violent / 1k | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15.4 | 2.4 | -9.2% |
| 2023 | 17.1 | 2.7 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 16.9 | 2.9 | -6.1% |
| 2021 | 18.0 |
Federal & Iowa tax facts for non-resident buyers, plus the latest market news.
| 3.0 |
| -8.9% |
| 2020 | 20.0 | 3.0 | -6.2% |
| 2019 | 21.4 | 2.9 | — |
