Des Moines, IA Property Tax Calculator
Estimate property tax for a home in Des Moines, IA. Homes in Des Moines are assessed by Polk County, where the effective property tax rate runs about 1.51% of market value — so a median-priced Des Moines home of $210,000 generates roughly $3,171 in annual property tax. Enter your specific home value below for a custom estimate.
Annual Tax
$3,171
1.51% of $210,000
Monthly Tax
$264
Typically escrowed with your mortgage
State Rank
#13 of 51
Highest rate = #1
vs. National Average
Highest property tax states
- New Jersey2.49%
- Illinois2.23%
- New Hampshire2.18%
- Connecticut2.15%
- Vermont1.90%
Lowest property tax states
- Hawaii0.32%
- Alabama0.41%
- Colorado0.55%
- Louisiana0.56%
- District of Columbia0.57%
These are state-level averages. Individual counties and cities can vary significantly — a home in Austin's urban core may have a far higher effective rate than the Texas state average, for example. For the most accurate estimate, get the exact millage rate from your county assessor and override the rate field above.
How to use it
A two-minute guide.
The Home Value field is pre-filled with Des Moines's median home value of $210,000. Override with your actual home's market value for a specific estimate — your tax bill scales linearly with home value.
The rate is pre-filled with Polk County's effective rate of 1.51% — the county-level average for owner-occupied homes, which is more precise than Iowa's statewide average of 1.57%. Individual school districts and special taxing zones within Des Moines still shift the exact figure — if you know the rate from your latest tax bill, override it for the most precise estimate.
You'll see your estimated annual property tax, the monthly amount (which is typically escrowed with your mortgage payment), and a comparison to other states.
How it works
The math behind the result.
How Des Moines's tax bill works out. Homes in Des Moines are assessed and billed through Polk County. The effective rate there averages about 1.51% of market value — below Iowa's statewide average of 1.57%. On Des Moines's median home value of $210,000, that's approximately $3,171/year, or $264/month when escrowed with your mortgage.
How assessment works in Iowa. Assessors revalue in odd-numbered years; the statewide 'rollback' then cuts residential taxable value to roughly 46-47% of assessed value before rates apply.
Exemptions worth claiming. The homestead credit (plus a new exemption for owners 65+) and the military exemption trim taxable value; file once with the assessor by July 1. Exemptions are the most common reason two identical Des Moines homes pay different tax bills — make sure yours are on file with Polk County.
What property tax actually pays for. In Des Moines — like the rest of Iowa — property tax funds local schools, public safety (police, fire), road maintenance, parks, libraries, and county government. Most of your bill stays in your county and school district.
Comparing to other states. Effective rates vary enormously across the US — from about 0.3% in Hawaii to nearly 2.5% in New Jersey. Des Moines's 1.51% puts it in the upper third nationally.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Buying in Des Moines? Estimate your full mortgage payment with our Des Moines Mortgage Calculator. Or see how Iowa property tax rates compare across the state with our Iowa Property Tax Calculator.
Nearby & related
Property tax calculators in other cities
Related tools