Des Moines, IA metro area Housing Market Brief
metro · as of May 2026
What is Des Moines, IA metro area’s Alpha Score?
The Alpha Score is a composite 0–100 index of market strength, a weighted blend of five dimensions. See the methodology.
Where is Des Moines, IA metro area in its market cycle?
Des Moines, IA metro area is classified as Mature — holding near a healthy peak. This is a classification of recent (1–12 month) momentum, not a price forecast.
Des Moines, IA metro area housing market data
| Metric | Value | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $309K | ▲ +1% |
| Median Days on Market | 36 days | ▲ +5.9% |
| Months of Supply | 2.6 | 0% |
| Homes for Sale | 3,058 | ▼ -4.8% |
| Homes Sold | 1,169 | ▼ -4.1% |
| Median Price / Sq Ft | $215 | ▲ +0.4% |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 98.9% | ▲ +0.1% |
How has Des Moines, IA metro area’s Alpha Score moved?
Markets like Des Moines, IA metro area
- Jacksonville, FL metro areametro46
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- Atlanta, GA metro areametro45
- Oklahoma City, OK metro areametro45
- New Orleans, LA metro areametro44
- Raleigh, NC metro areametro44
- Fort Worth, TX metro areametro44
- Chambersburg, PA metro areametro47
- Louisville, KY metro areametro45
- Gary, IN metro areametro49
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines, IA metro area a buyer's or seller's market?
As of May 2026, Des Moines, IA metro area is classified as a Balanced Market, based on its Alpha Score of 46 out of 100. The classification reflects current price, inventory, affordability, economic, and rental-yield conditions.
Are home prices rising or falling in Des Moines, IA metro area?
The median sale price in Des Moines, IA metro area is $309K, having risen 1% over the past year.
How affordable is Des Moines, IA metro area?
Des Moines, IA metro area scores 52 out of 100 on affordability — moderately affordable relative to local incomes and prevailing mortgage rates compared with other metros.
What's driving Des Moines, IA metro area's Alpha Score?
Des Moines, IA metro area's strongest dimension is Affordability (52/100) and its weakest is Inventory Health (40/100). The Alpha Score is a weighted blend of all five dimensions.
Want the live, interactive view of Des Moines, IA metro area? Open the full market dashboard — charts, ZIP-level drill-down, and watchlist tracking. Explore the map or read the methodology.