Des Moines, IA metro area Housing Market Brief
metro · IA · as of August 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.
What’s the forecast for Des Moines, IA metro area?
Our model forecasts Des Moines, IA metro area’s home prices to rise about 4.6% over the next 12 months (high confidence).
This is a separate, forward-looking view — not the cycle classification above. See how past forecasts performed on the track record, or the full local forecast with its confidence range on the market page.
Des Moines, IA metro area housing market data
| Metric | Value | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $320K | ▲ +6.7% |
| Median Days on Market | 59 days | 0% |
| Months of Supply | 4.1 | ▲ +10.8% |
| Homes for Sale | 3,640 | ▲ +8.8% |
| Homes Sold | 915 | ▼ -0.6% |
| Median Price / Sq Ft | $215 | ▲ +3.1% |
How has Des Moines, IA metro area’s Alpha Score moved?
Markets like Des Moines, IA metro area
- Huntsville, AL metro area, ALmetro47
- Midland, TX metro area, TXmetro46
- Pittsburgh, PA metro area, PAmetro55
- Little Rock, AR metro area, ARmetro51
- Cincinnati, OH metro area, OHmetro53
- Oklahoma City, OK metro area, OKmetro49
- Longview, TX metro area, TXmetro48
- St. Louis, MO metro area, MOmetro54
- Warren, MI metro area, MImetro50
- Sioux Falls, SD metro area, SDmetro53
Frequently asked questions
Is Des Moines, IA metro area a buyer's or seller's market?
As of August 2026, Des Moines, IA metro area is classified as a Balanced Market, based on its Alpha Score of 50 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 $320K, having risen 6.7% over the past year.
How affordable is Des Moines, IA metro area?
Des Moines, IA metro area scores 71 out of 100 on affordability — relatively 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 (71/100) and its weakest is Inventory Health (28/100). 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.