West Des Moines, Iowa property tax

Median property tax, home value and effective rate (Census 2020โ€“2024)

Updated Oct 17, 2026, 1:57 AM ET
Effective property tax rate
1.52%

Homeowners in West Des Moines, Iowa paid a median $4,711 a year in property tax on a median home worth $309,000, an effective rate of about 1.52% (Census 2020โ€“2024).

Census ACS 2020โ€“2024 5-year medians

#435 lowest of 587Iowa places we cover

1.68%Polk County overall
Median tax paid
$4,711
per year, 2020โ€“24
Median home value
$309,000
owner-occupied
Effective rate
1.52%
tax รท value
Tax vs. income
5.4%
of $86,594 median household income
Owner costs
$1,845/mo
median with a mortgage, incl. tax & insurance

West Des Moines vs county, state and US

Effective rate

West Des Moines1.52%
Polk County1.68%
Iowa1.39%
United States0.94%

Median tax paid per year

West Des Moines$4,711
Polk County$4,396
Iowa$2,897
United States$3,119

Tax on a home in West Des Moines

At the local 1.52% effective rate

Home valueEstimated yearly taxPer month
$150,000$2,287$191
$250,000$3,811$318
$350,000$5,336$445
$500,000$7,623$635

Buying a home in Polk County? 2026 loan limits

Nearby and related

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020โ€“2024 5-year estimates, tables B25103 (median real estate taxes paid), B25077 (median home value), B25003, B25088, B19013 and B01003. These are 2020โ€“2024 medians reported by owner-occupants, not 2026 tax bills or official mill rates. The effective rate here is median tax รท median home value. Actual bills depend on assessed value, exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran) and local levies. Check with your county assessor or treasurer. Not tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the property tax rate in West Des Moines, Iowa?

Homeowners in West Des Moines, Iowa paid a median $4,711 a year in property tax on a median home worth $309,000, an effective rate of about 1.52% (Census 2020โ€“2024).

How much is property tax on a $250,000 home in West Des Moines?

About $3,811 a year at the 1.52% median effective rate. Exemptions such as homestead can lower it.

Is property tax in West Des Moines higher than the rest of Iowa?

West Des Moines ranks #435 lowest of 587 Iowa places we track. The statewide effective rate is 1.39%. Polk County overall is 1.68%.