Can You Afford a Home in Des Moines, WA?
A typical home in Des Moines is worth $607,792, down 0.9% over the past year. That is $246K below the King County typical of $853,410.
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 $607,792. 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 0.83% 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 | $318,000 | $263,000 | $241,000 | $257,000 |
| $100,000 | $436,000 | $360,000 | $330,000 | $352,000 |
| $125,000 | $553,000 | $457,000 | $419,000 | $447,000 |
| $150,000 | $670,000 | $554,000 | $508,000 | $542,000 |
| $200,000 | $905,000 | $748,000 | $687,000 | $732,000 |
How Des Moines compares to nearby towns
| Town | Typical home | Year over year | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tukwila | $578,581 | -0.7% | $130,000 |
| Seatac | $589,243 | -0.5% | $133,000 |
| Federal Way | $598,030 | -0.7% | $135,000 |
| Des Moines (this page) | $607,792 | -0.9% | $137,000 |
| Auburn | $609,464 | -0.4% | $137,000 |
| Burien | $643,360 | -0.6% | $144,000 |
| Kent | $647,138 | -1.3% | $145,000 |
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 $607,792, 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.