Retiring in Des Moines, IA

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

84°/17°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$212,479

Housing (Typical Value)

705.9

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

Is Des Moines Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 212,464, Des Moines offers a mid-size city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower housing costs
Low hurricane risk
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Higher violent crime
Higher property crime
Elevated tornado risk
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 84°F. The typical home value is $212,479, 43% below the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $1,054 per month, 25% below the $1,400 per month US median. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to hurricane, wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. The reported violent crime rate is 705.9 per 100,000, 97% above the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 3156.6 per 100,000, 79% above the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign elevated risk designations to tornado and ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)84°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)17°F

Annual snowfall36.5"

Annual precipitation36.5"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$212,47943% below the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$1,054/mo25% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate705.9 /100,00097% above the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate3156.6 /100,00079% above the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate520.9 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalIowa Methodist Medical Center (1.6 mi)

Hospital qualityNot Rated (CMS)

Primary care accessStrong (1,073 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index12.5/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population212,464Classified as a mid-size city

Elevation794 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively High

HurricaneVery Low

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Low

Ice stormsRelatively High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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