Image of Des Moines

Best suburbs in Des Moines

Written by:
April 25, 2024
Grindstone Media Group // Shutterstock

Best suburbs in Des Moines

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Des Moines. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Des Moines.

Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
1 / 8
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Grimes, Iowa

- Population: 15,402
- Median home value: $275,400
- Median rental price: $1,042

- Top schools nearby: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A), Henry A. Wallace Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
2 / 8
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Bondurant, Iowa

- Population: 7,617
- Median home value: $274,800
- Median rental price: $1,084

- Top schools nearby: Heritage Elementary School (grade A−), Spring Creek Sixth Grade Center (grade A−), Altoona Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Ankeny Christian Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
A family playing soccer together.
3 / 8
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Windsor Heights, Iowa

- Population: 5,200
- Median home value: $234,700
- Median rental price: $1,207

- Top schools nearby: Valley High School (grade A), Van Meter Middle School (grade A), Heritage Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
Happy young family sitting in a park.
4 / 8
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Johnston, Iowa

- Population: 23,856
- Median home value: $332,000
- Median rental price: $1,225

- Top schools nearby: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Crocker Elementary School (grade A), Southview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
Happy family in backyard with dog.
5 / 8
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Ankeny, Iowa

- Population: 68,392
- Median home value: $281,700
- Median rental price: $1,289

- Top schools nearby: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Northeast Elementary School (grade A), Rock Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
6 / 8
F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Urbandale, Iowa

- Population: 45,591
- Median home value: $298,500
- Median rental price: $1,108

- Top schools nearby: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
7 / 8
FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Clive, Iowa

- Population: 18,576
- Median home value: $359,300
- Median rental price: $1,089

- Top schools nearby: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
8 / 8
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Waukee, Iowa

- Population: 25,045
- Median home value: $305,300
- Median rental price: $1,209

- Top schools nearby: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A−), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

Trending Now