Mortgage Calculator & Closing Costs: West Des Moines, IA
Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for West Des Moines, Iowa.
Median Home Price
$295K
Population
69K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,250
Property Tax Rate
1.52% *
* Property tax shown is the Iowa state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in West Des Moines.
West Des Moines vs Iowa Median
The median home price in West Des Moines is $295,000, which is 40% above the Iowa state median of $210,000.
Mortgage Calculator — West Des Moines, IA
Pre-filled with West Des Moines median home price and Iowa tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $295K home using Iowa's 1.52% tax rate and $1,800/yr insurance.
5% Down
$2,459/mo
Down: $14,750
Loan: $280K
P&I: $1,771
Tax: $374
Insurance: $150
PMI: $163
10% Down
$2,357/mo
Down: $29,500
Loan: $266K
P&I: $1,678
Tax: $374
Insurance: $150
PMI: $155
20% Down (No PMI)
$2,015/mo
Down: $59,000
Loan: $236K
P&I: $1,492
Tax: $374
Insurance: $150
Income needed (28% rule): $86K/year with 20% down, $101K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in West Des Moines
Rent
$1,250/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$2,357/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 19.7 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in West Des Moines depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in West Des Moines is $295,000, 40% above the Iowa state median of $210,000. With a population of 68,723, West Des Moines is a smaller market where home prices reflect strong demand and local economic factors.
Property taxes in Iowa average 1.52% annually. This higher-than-average tax rate means a $295,000 home in West Des Moines would carry roughly $374/month in property taxes alone — plan accordingly. Homeowners insurance in Iowa runs approximately $1,800 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in West Des Moines is $1,250/month. The price-to-rent ratio in West Des Moines is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
West Des Moines presents moderate affordability. The $295K median puts homeownership within reach for median-income households, though down payment savings and closing costs require planning.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in West Des Moines.