Side-by-side comparison of two top Des Moines metro suburbs — prices, schools, commute, amenities, and lifestyle.
West Des Moines is the better choice if you prioritize most amenities and best retirement infrastructure in the metro. Watch out for: school district boundary runs through the city.
Altoona is the better choice if you prioritize east-side value with strong job growth. Watch out for: farther from Jordan Creek / west-metro amenities.
| Factor | West Des Moines | Altoona |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $350,000 | $290,000 |
| Population | ~69,000 | ~20,000 |
| County | Polk/Dallas | Polk |
| School district | WDM CSD + Waukee CSD (split — verify by address) | Southeast Polk CSD |
| Commute to downtown | 15 min to downtown | 15 min to downtown |
| Vibe | amenity-rich, broad housing variety, prestige | east-metro affordability, growing with Meta/Facebook |
| Amenities | Jordan Creek, Valley Junction, Raccoon River Park | Prairie Meadows, Adventureland, Outlets |
West Des Moines sits in Polk/Dallas County with a population of about ~69,000. The vibe is amenity-rich, broad housing variety, prestige, with amenities including Jordan Creek, Valley Junction, Raccoon River Park. Median home prices run around $350,000 with a 15 min to downtown.
Schools in West Des Moines: WDM CSD + Waukee CSD (split — verify by address).
Altoona sits in Polk County with a population of about ~20,000. The vibe is east-metro affordability, growing with Meta/Facebook, with amenities including Prairie Meadows, Adventureland, Outlets. Median home prices run around $290,000 with a 15 min to downtown.
Schools in Altoona: Southeast Polk CSD.
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