📊 Iowa · Housing Market 2026
Des Moines Housing Market Data 2026
Median prices, cap rates, rent benchmarks, and investment outlook for Des Moines, Iowa — data sourced from Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census ACS.
🟡 Moderate Market
Median Price:$268,000
Cap Rate:6.8%
Vacancy:7.4%
$268,000
Median Home Price
YoY: +3.5%
6.8%
Avg Cap Rate
Cash-on-cash: 6.0%
$1,510
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
YoY: +2.2%
7.4%
Vacancy Rate
High — watch carefully
33 days
Days on Market
Moderate pace
$268,000 / 6.8%
Price / Cap Rate
🟡 Moderate Market
📈 Market Analysis — Des Moines, IA
**2026 Des Moines Real Estate Market Analysis**
Des Moines enters 2026 as a
🏘️ Rent Breakdown — HUD Fair Market Rents
HUD Fair Market Rent represents the 40th percentile of gross rents paid by recent movers in Des Moines. Used as a benchmark for Section 8 voucher limits and rental market analysis.
| Bedroom Count | Monthly Rent (HUD FMR) | Annual Rental Income | Est. Cap Rate at Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1,160/mo | $13,920/yr | 3.6% est. |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,510/mo | $18,120/yr | 4.7% est. |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010/mo | $24,120/yr | 6.3% est. |
* Estimated cap rate uses the 70% rule (30% reserved for expenses). Actual cap rates vary by property and management style.
💰 Cost of Investing in Des Moines
| Cost Item | Rate / Amount | Est. Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax | 1.5% effective rate | $3,940 | $328/mo |
| Homeowners Insurance | Iowa avg premium | $1,800 | $150/mo |
| Total Tax + Insurance | Based on median home price of $268,000 | $478/mo | |
These figures reflect state-level averages. Property tax rates vary by county; insurance costs vary by property type, age, and claims history. Source: Tax Foundation (2025), NAIC (2024).
⚖️ How Des Moines Compares to National Averages
Avg Cap Rate
6.8%
National avg: 5.5%
✓ Above average
Median Home Price
$268,000
National avg: $371,696
✓ More affordable
Vacancy Rate
7.4%
National avg: 7.8%
✓ Low vacancy
2BR Median Rent
$1,510/mo
National avg: $1,469/mo
Days on Market
33 days
National avg: 41 days
Price Growth YoY
+3.5%
National avg: +3.6%
National averages calculated across all 69 tracked US investor markets. A cap rate above the national average suggests stronger cash flow potential relative to purchase price.
🛠️ Tools for Analyzing Des Moines Deals
Cap Rate Calculator
Calculate cap rate from NOI and property price
Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly cash flow after all expenses
Property Analysis
AI-powered deal analysis with Des Moines market context
Should I Buy This?
Instant AI due diligence with market benchmarks
Rental Optimization
Optimize rents with HUD FMR data for Des Moines
Market Intelligence
Full AI market report for Des Moines, IA
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