Moving to Des Moines from Out of State: 2026 Relocation Guide

If you're relocating to the Des Moines metro from out of state — whether for a job, retirement, or lifestyle — this is the guide I wish I could hand every new client at their first call. It covers choosing the suburb, the house, and the timeline. Here is everything you need to know.

Why People Move to Des Moines

• Cost of living 12-15% below national average
• Strong job growth (Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide, Meta, Microsoft, John Deere, MercyOne, UnityPoint)
• School districts (Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston are the most asked-about)
• Low commute times (15-25 minutes to downtown from most suburbs)
• Four seasons without extreme weather
• Midwest friendliness and safety
• Below-average property crime
• Iowa tax advantages for retirees (no tax on Social Security, senior property tax credits)

Step 1 — Pick Your Suburb Before You Pick Your House

The single biggest mistake out-of-state relocators make is touring random houses across the metro. Des Moines has 20+ distinct suburbs with very different vibes. Pick your suburb first, then shop for houses in that suburb.

My quick guide for relocators:

• Waukee: Fast-growing, new construction, ~25 min from downtown
• Ankeny: Value, amenities, ~20 min from downtown
• Johnston: Established, ~20 min from downtown
• West Des Moines: Amenities, prestige, variety, ~15 min from downtown
• Urbandale: Central, lower cost, established, ~10 min from downtown
• Clive: Quiet, walkable, trails, ~15 min from downtown
• Grimes: New construction value, ~25 min from downtown
• Norwalk: Affordable, ~20 min from downtown
• Altoona/Pleasant Hill: East-side affordability, ~15 min from downtown

Step 2 — Do a Scouting Trip

Spend a long weekend driving every suburb on your short list. Tour a couple of open houses in each. Eat at the local restaurants. Drive the commute to your new employer at rush hour. This 2-3 day trip saves weeks of bad house tours later.

Step 3 — Get Pre-Approved with a Local Lender

Out-of-state lenders usually don't understand Iowa property taxes, Iowa title quirks, or local inspector networks. A Des Moines metro lender can pre-approve you from anywhere in the country and will save you time at closing.

Step 4 — Hire a Relocation-Experienced REALTOR®

What a relocation-experienced REALTOR® should give you:

• Video tours of homes before you fly in
• Candid feedback on neighborhoods you can't assess from Zillow
• Coordination with your out-of-state schedule
• Handling inspections and final walkthroughs if you can't be local
• Managing the closing from a distance (remote notarization, mobile notary)

Step 5 — Understand Iowa-Specific Closing Costs

Iowa closing costs for buyers typically include:

• Title insurance (Iowa has unique title standards — title insurance works differently)
• Transfer tax (small, usually under $500)
• First year of homeowner's insurance (typically paid at closing)
• First year of property tax escrow
• Lender fees
• Inspection and appraisal costs

Plan on 2-3% of purchase price in closing costs, unless you can negotiate seller concessions.

Step 6 — Plan the Logistics

• Movers: Book 60 days out for a peak-season move (May-August)
• Utilities: Set up MidAmerican (electric/gas) 1 week before closing
• Internet: Mediacom, CenturyLink, Google Fiber in some neighborhoods
• Iowa driver's license: Transfer within 30 days of moving
• Iowa vehicle registration: Transfer within 30 days
• School enrollment: Contact the district 30 days out; bring immunization records and proof of residence
• Voter registration: Easy online at the Iowa Secretary of State website

Step 7 — The First 30 Days After Moving In

• Apply for the Iowa Homestead Tax Credit at your county assessor's office (the homestead exemption: 10% off your home’s taxable value, $5,500 to $20,000, starting with the 2026 assessment)
• If you're 65+, apply for the Iowa Senior Property Tax Credit
• Update your address with everyone (bank, IRS, DMV of your old state, insurance)
• Get a family doctor, dentist, and specialist referrals
• Explore Des Moines — downtown, Gray's Lake, East Village, Des Moines Art Center, Iowa State Fair (if you move in August)

Common Out-of-State Relocator Mistakes

1. Underestimating Iowa winters (get a snow shovel before November) 2. Not understanding that Des Moines has genuinely great restaurants, arts, and culture — leave your preconceptions about Iowa at home 3. Ignoring the school district boundary (even if you don't have kids, it affects resale) 4. Paying for a mortgage with an out-of-state lender who doesn't understand Iowa 5. Trying to tour houses remotely without a trusted local REALTOR®

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Des Moines a good place to move? A: For most out-of-state relocators considering the Midwest, yes. Des Moines ranks in the top 10 U.S. metros for cost of living, schools, commute times, job growth, and quality of life across multiple national surveys.

Q: How much house can I afford in Des Moines vs my current city? A: Des Moines home prices are 40-60% lower than Denver, Seattle, Boston, DC, Portland, and most California metros; 15-25% lower than Minneapolis and Chicago; roughly comparable to Kansas City and Omaha.

Q: What is the average commute in the Des Moines metro? A: 18-22 minutes for most metro residents — one of the shortest average commutes in any top-50 U.S. metro.

Q: Do I need to winterize my car for Des Moines? A: Yes. Plan on snow tires or all-weather tires by November, a good scraper, and a small emergency kit for January-February. Winters are real but manageable.

Related Resources

• Des Moines relocation services
• Moving to Des Moines guide
• Best Des Moines suburbs for families (2026)
• Des Moines metro area guide
• Job transfer to Des Moines