Can You Afford a Home in Des Moines, WA?
A typical home in Des Moines is worth $597,964, down 0.5% over the past year. That is $237K below the King County typical of $835,385.
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Assumes housing costs stay at 33% of gross income — the sustainable middle, not the maximum a lender would approve. A typical home in Des Moines costs $597,964. Rates as of 5 September 2026; they move weekly and your quote will differ.
What each income level buys in King County
Prices below are what keeps housing at 33% of gross income, using King County’s 0.84% effective property tax rate. The Conventional column assumes 20% down; the zero-down columns finance the funding fee into the loan.
| Household income | Conventional | VA | Zero-down CU | FHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $299,000 | $248,000 | $227,000 | $242,000 |
| $100,000 | $417,000 | $345,000 | $316,000 | $337,000 |
| $125,000 | $534,000 | $442,000 | $405,000 | $432,000 |
| $150,000 | $651,000 | $538,000 | $494,000 | $526,000 |
| $200,000 | $886,000 | $732,000 | $672,000 | $716,000 |
How Des Moines compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tukwila | $566,489 | -0.3% | $132,000 |
| Seatac | $577,720 | -0.2% | $134,000 |
| Federal Way | $586,172 | -0.5% | $136,000 |
| Des Moines (this page) | $597,964 | -0.5% | $139,000 |
| Auburn | $598,170 | -0.3% | $139,000 |
| Burien | $631,188 | -0.4% | $146,000 |
| Kent | $635,965 | -1.1% | $147,000 |
If Des Moines is out of reach, Tukwila, Seatac, Federal Way sit lower in the same county — same commute shed, same schools district-by-district, less money.
What this does not tell you
These are typical values, not listings. Half the homes in Des Moines sell for less than $597,964, and condos and townhomes sit well below it. Property tax is a county-wide effective rate, so your parcel will differ. Insurance is a state average. Run your own numbers with your own quote before you take any of this as settled.