Des Moines, IA metro area Housing Market Brief
metro · IA · score computed October 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.
Population band 5 of 5 (population 278,335–19,798,537) · comparable within its band
Where is Des Moines, IA metro area in its market cycle?
Des Moines, IA metro area is classified as Growing — strengthening, with scores rising over recent months. This is a classification of recent (1–12 month) momentum, not a price forecast.
What’s the forecast for Des Moines, IA metro area?
Metro-level forecasts are paused (since Oct 18, 2026). The new public-data model we built to replace them didn't pass our accuracy test, and we won't publish forecasts again until a model does.
Des Moines, IA metro area housing market data
| Metric | Value | YoY | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $314K | ▲ +3% | Redfin |
| Median Days on Market | 52 days | ▲ +15.6% | Redfin |
| Months of Supply | 3.9 | ▲ +8.3% | Redfin |
| Homes for Sale | 3,774 | ▲ +14% | Redfin |
| Homes Sold | 979 | ▲ +4.2% | Redfin |
| Median Price / Sq Ft | $219 | ▲ +3.7% | Redfin |
How has Des Moines, IA metro area’s Alpha Score moved?
Markets like Des Moines, IA metro area
- Midland, TX metro area, TXmetro47
- Dalton, GA metro area, GAmetro50
- Richmond, KY metro area, KYmetro49
- Huntsville, AL metro area, ALmetro50
- Hagerstown, MD metro area, MDmetro45
- Lynchburg, VA metro area, VAmetro46
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXmetro46
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area, NCmetro52
- New Bern, NC metro area, NCmetro53
- Indianapolis, IN metro area, INmetro54
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines, IA metro area a buyer's or seller's market?
In the scores computed October 2026, Des Moines, IA metro area is classified as a Balanced Market, based on its Alpha Score of 52 out of 100. The classification reflects current price, building, 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 $314K, having risen 3% over the past year, according to Redfin.
How affordable is Des Moines, IA metro area?
Des Moines, IA metro area scores 56 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 Inventory Health (76/100) and its weakest is Price Momentum (22/100). 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.