Rent vs Buy in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines, IA Assumptions

Home Purchase
Ongoing Costs
Rental
Growth
Tax
Projection

Buy Net Worth

Rent Net Worth

Break-Even

Verdict

Net Worth Over Time — Des Moines, IA

Year-by-Year Comparison

Year-by-year rent vs buy comparison for Des Moines, IA
Year Buy
Net Worth
Rent
Net Worth
Difference Monthly
Buy Cost
Monthly
Rent

Cities & Towns in Des Moines, IA

This calculator's defaults reflect the broader Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, including:

  • Des Moines
  • West Des Moines
  • Ankeny
  • Urbandale
  • Waukee
  • Johnston
  • Clive
  • Altoona
  • Indianola

Region: Midwest. Housing cost-of-living index: 78 (national avg = 100). Composite cost-of-living: 90.

About this Des Moines, IA estimate

The default home price and rent come from the Des Moines, IA metropolitan area's housing cost-of-living index applied to national 2025 medians ($420,000 home, $1,850/mo rent for a typical 2-3 BR). The property tax rate is the average effective rate for Iowa per the Tax Foundation. These are starting points — adjust to match your specific listing, neighborhood, and tax bill.