Is Des Moines County, IA good for real estate investing?

Des Moines County has an investment score of 69/100, rated as "Buy". The county ranks #168 nationally among 1000 counties analyzed.

What is the rent-to-price ratio in Des Moines?

The rent-to-price ratio in Des Moines County is 6.84% annually, which ranks in the 74th percentile nationally. Higher ratios indicate better cash flow potential.

What is the median home price in Des Moines?

The median home price in Des Moines County is $142,809. This ranks #60 in affordability among all US counties.

Can you cash flow on rental properties in Des Moines?

Based on median values with 20% down at current rates, a typical rental in Des Moines County would generate negative cash flow of $219/month. Individual property performance varies based on purchase price, rent, and operating expenses.

Des Moines County

IowaPopulation: 38,824

/100

Buy

#168 of 1,000 counties

#63 in Iowa (99 counties)

Market Snapshot

$142,809

Median Home Price

48% below national median

$814/mo

Median Rent

46% below national median

6.84%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Top 26% nationally

-$219

Est. Monthly Cash Flow

With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Price History

Trend based on YoY growth rate. Source: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$142,809

Down Payment (20%)$28,562

Loan Amount$114,247

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$814

Monthly P&I-$749

Est. Expenses (35%)-$285

Net Cash Flow-$219/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-8.0%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.84%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

69/100

Cash Flow(30%)

68/100

Based on 6.84% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

70/100

Based on 2.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

93/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

+Above-average rent-to-price ratio (6.84%)
+Affordable relative to local incomes
+Complete rent data available

Challenges

-Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$219/mo)
-Negative leverage (cap rate 4.5% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population

38,824

Median Income

$58,084

vs $62,400 national est.

Unemployment Rate

—

Data pending

Price-to-Income

2.5x

Very affordable

Compare to Nearby Counties

County					Verdict
WoodburyIA	71	$197,193	$1,164	7.08%	Buy	View
PlymouthIA	71	$275,086	Est. pending	—	Buy	View
CurrentDes MoinesIA	69	$142,809	$814	6.84%	Buy
JohnsonIA	68	$297,138	$1,756	7.09%	Buy	View
PottawattamieIA	67	$232,170	$1,290	6.67%	Buy	View
ClintonIA	67	$168,815	$819	5.82%	Buy	View

The Bottom Line

BuyDes Moines offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Des Moines County in Iowa scores 69/100, ranking #168 of 1,000 US counties (top 17%). The 6.84% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-219/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-8.0%

Ready to Analyze a Deal in Des Moines?

Use our investment calculators to run detailed numbers on specific properties.

Single Family1-4 unit rentals, BRRRR House HackOwner-occupied strategy Multifamily5+ unit properties

Explore Other Markets

Quick Investment Calculator

Down Payment20%

5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$142,809

Down Payment (20%)$28,562

Loan Amount$114,247

Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$814

Monthly P&I-$749

Est. Expenses (35%)-$285

Net Cash Flow-$219/mo

4.5%

Cap Rate (all cash)

-8.0%

Cash-on-Cash Return

6.84%

Rent-to-Price Ratio

Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 4.5% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full Analysis Try House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score

69/100

Cash Flow(30%)

68/100

Based on 6.84% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)

70/100

Based on 2.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)

50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)

93/100

Price-to-income ratio of 2.5x. Lower ratios indicate more affordable markets.

County

Verdict

WoodburyIA

$197,193

$1,164

7.08%

Buy

View

PlymouthIA

$275,086

Est. pending

—

Buy

View

CurrentDes MoinesIA

$142,809

$814

6.84%

Buy

JohnsonIA

$297,138

$1,756

7.09%

Buy

View

PottawattamieIA

$232,170

$1,290

6.67%

Buy

View

ClintonIA

$168,815

$819

5.82%

Buy

View

The Bottom Line

BuyDes Moines offers solid investment potential with good cash flow or appreciation prospects.

Des Moines County in Iowa scores 69/100, ranking #168 of 1,000 US counties (top 17%). The 6.84% rent-to-price ratio indicates moderate cash flow potential.

Monthly Cash Flow

$-219/mo

Cap Rate

4.5%

Cash-on-Cash

-8.0%