West Des Moines

The north side of West Des Moines features a massive medical campus with several hospitals and clinics, including MercyOne and Unity Point
Frisbie Park is located just a couple minutes from Historic Valley Junction, home of a myriad of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife
Frisbie Park is located just a couple minutes from Historic Valley Junction, home of a myriad of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife
Walk along the lake at the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines.
MercyOne Medical Center is West Des Moines

West Des Moines, IA Area Guide

Undeniable community traditions abound in West Des Moines

Shopping Events Community Transportation Iowa

West Des Moines combines suburban comfort with city conveniences in one of Iowa's growing communities. The Historic Valley Junction district preserves the area's railroad heritage through its collection of independent shops and eateries. Miles of trails wind through local parks and green spaces, while Jordan Creek Town Center stands as Iowa's largest shopping complex.

Home to over 68,000 residents, West Des Moines has evolved from its railroad town roots while preserving its historic charm. Housing options range from historic properties near Valley Junction to residences near Glen Oaks Country Club. Major employers, including Wells Fargo, Microsoft, and Hy-Vee contribute to the local economy. Notable areas include Glen Oaks, Valley Junction, and the Jordan Creek district, each with its own character and amenities. The West Des Moines Community School District serves the area, consistently maintaining strong academic ratings.

Explore the City

Frisbie Park is located just a couple minutes from Historic Valley Junction, home of a myriad of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife

Walk along the lake at the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines.

MercyOne Medical Center is West Des Moines

Maple Grove Park has a full-court basketball court and tennis court in West Des Moines.

While residing in West Des Moines, Brookview Elementary School is part of Waukee Schools.

Enjoy a quiet picnic at the pavilion.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in West Des Moines, IA is $993 for a studio, $1,107 for one bedroom, $1,229 for two bedrooms, and $1,595 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in West Des Moines has decreased by -0.9% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,107/month
740 Sq Ft
House
$2,087/month
1,593 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,028/month
839 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,946/month
1,501 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in West Des Moines, IA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly West Des Moines, IA is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

44 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Minimal Transit

1 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Somewhat Bikeable

42 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Stilwell Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

Valley Southwoods

Public

Grades 6-12

Valley High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Valley Southwoods

Public

Grades 6-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Raccoon River Park and Nature Lodge
  • Maffitt Reservoir Park
  • American Legion Park
  • Walnut Woods State Park
  • Brown's Woods

Military Bases

Airports

  • Des Moines International

Top Apartments in West Des Moines

Houses for Rent in West Des Moines

Property Management Companies in West Des Moines, IA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.