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West Des Moines city, IA

ZIP 50261 — Housing & Real Estate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. Page data updated 2026-08-02.

Wealthy AreaLow Snow AreaRemote Work Hub

Home values, rent, tenure, and housing stock

Housing & Real Estate in ZIP Code 50261

Median Home Value
$318,600
Median Rent
$813
Affordability Snapshot
$88,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$2,047/mo PITI).

6%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Below the 30% threshold — generally affordable for median earners.

2.1x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Below 3x — relatively affordable housing market.

32.7 yrs
Price-to-Rent Ratio

Years to break even buying vs renting at median home value and rent.

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 50261 in West Des Moines city, IA, a household would need roughly $88,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $2,047. That sits below the local median household income ($150,341), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Housing Tenure

Mostly owner-occupied, low vacancy — stable housing market.

Heating Fuel
Housing Metrics
Owner Occupied
84.5%+29% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
2.5%-75% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
92.6%+6% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
13.2%-11% vs US avg
x
Built Pre-1939
1.3%-90% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
0.0%
x
Rent Burden >30%
3.7%-92% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
35.0%-8% vs US avg
x
$318,600
Home Value
$813
Rent
1979
Year Built
2011
Moved In

Residents have lived here since ~2011 on average

Housing Structure

Census ACS structure types (single-family, multi-unit, etc.).

  • 1-unit detached93.8%
  • 1-unit attached3.0%
  • 2-9 units2.4%
  • 10+ units0.0%
  • Mobile home & other0.7%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$318,600
Median rent$813
Owner-occupied84.5%
Vacant2.5%
Price-to-income2.1x
Est. income to buy$88,000