Living in Des Moines
United States · cold
Des Moines is a mid-sized city of roughly 215,000 people inland in United States. The climate is cold. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors with average safety for the region. A typical month of living costs around $2,050. Healthcare is strong, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for cycling, food and eating out, live music.
Private healthcare (5/5) is clearly better than the public system (2/5): budget for insurance. Anyone born here is a citizen, whatever the nationality of the parents.
Des Moines at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Des Moines
- Working remotely with reliable internet
- A genuinely good food scene
- Access to strong healthcare
- Raising a family
- Anyone into cycling
- Anyone into food and eating out
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Required to enrol at schoolVaccines: 10
There is no federal mandate. All fifty states require vaccination to attend school, the list runs to about ten diseases, and the detail is set state by state.
If you skip them: No place in a public school, and in most states none in a licensed childcare centre.
Exemptions: Medical everywhere. Religious or personal belief exemptions in 45 states and DC. Only California, Connecticut, Maine, New York and West Virginia accept medical reasons alone.
Source: Immunize.org state requirements 2026, plus Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
📈 Popularity & prices: Growing
Accommodation prices have moved about +32% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Des Moines
- • Natural risks worth checking: tornadoes.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Des Moines
- •Natural hazards to check locally: tornadoes.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Des Moines?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Des Moines
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Des Moines, United States?
A typical month in Des Moines costs around $2,050, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Des Moines, United States safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Des Moines at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. Natural risks worth checking: tornadoes.
What is the internet like in Des Moines?
Internet in Des Moines is rated 4 out of 5 for remote work, which is good. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Des Moines?
Des Moines has a cold climate.
Is healthcare good in Des Moines?
Healthcare in Des Moines is rated 4 out of 5 overall, which is good. Public healthcare is 2/5 and private healthcare 5/5.
How easy is it to move to United States?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in United States at 2 out of 5, which is limited. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Des Moines actually right for you?
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