Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Des Moines, Iowa
Median Des Moines, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.87%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median Des Moines, Iowa home value: $176,400
Median annual Des Moines, Iowa tax bill: $3,168, $768 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk calculated?
Property taxes in Des Moines, Iowa are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Des Moines's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Des Moines, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.87%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,299
$3,061
How Does the Des Moines Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Des Moines property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Des Moines's median effective tax rate of 1.87% — based on actual property records in Polk County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Des Moines's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Des Moines: rates range from $1,678.00 in 50314 to $5,668.00 in 50321, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Des Moines.
About Des Moines Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa
Des Moines's median effective property tax rate of 1.87% is higher than the Iowa state median of 1.55% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Polk County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Des Moines. Homeowners in the 50314 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.96%, while those in 50313 pay 1.77%. This spread — 0.19 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Polk County. Understanding which part of Des Moines you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Des Moines homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the April 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Des Moines's effective property tax rate to other cities in Iowa and the median property tax rates in Iowa and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Des Moines Tax Rate
1.87%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Polk County Tax Rate
1.71%
Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50309 | 0.31% | 0.73% | 1.91% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50310 | 1.73% | 1.82% | 1.87% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50311 | 1.73% | 1.82% | 1.88% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50312 | 1.72% | 1.83% | 1.89% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50313 | 1.28% | 1.37% | 1.77% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50314 | 1.44% | 1.73% | 1.96% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50315 | 1.69% | 1.79% | 1.86% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50316 | 1.62% | 1.77% | 1.86% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50317 | 1.37% | 1.73% | 1.85% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| 50320 | 1.69% | 1.83% | 1.90% | 1.97% | 2.00% |
| 50321 | 1.78% | 1.84% | 1.89% | 1.93% | 1.97% |
| 50322 | 1.75% | 1.83% | 1.87% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Des Moines, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Polk County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Polk County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Des Moines.
For example, the median home price in Des Moines is $176,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 50321 has the highest median home price at $304,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$2,050
$223,775
$445,500
Median Des Moines Market Value
$176,400
Median Polk County Market Value
$232,800
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50309 | $16,870 | $92,800 | $200,300 | $307,325 | $474,980 |
| 50310 | $135,300 | $169,300 | $207,200 | $249,100 | $292,400 |
| 50311 | $114,700 | $159,850 | $204,050 | $254,125 | $310,870 |
| 50312 | $130,800 | $173,375 | $252,800 | $419,725 | $639,170 |
| 50313 | $88,300 | $117,150 | $151,700 | $199,050 | $306,300 |
| 50314 | $10,820 | $66,125 | $97,450 | $145,600 | $206,300 |
| 50315 | $101,540 | $132,800 | $168,200 | $200,600 | $233,160 |
| 50316 | $67,500 | $99,500 | $130,200 | $161,900 | $191,330 |
| 50317 | $76,800 | $112,100 | $156,000 | $197,100 | $249,160 |
| 50320 | $80,220 | $156,400 | $233,650 | $286,400 | $332,500 |
| 50321 | $164,600 | $237,300 | $304,400 | $402,700 | $530,360 |
| 50322 | $143,810 | $169,750 | $195,000 | $223,600 | $264,360 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Des Moines are based on the assessed value of a home, not what a homeowner originally paid for it. Local taxing authorities apply the property tax rate to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, and the amount can change when market conditions or assessments change.
For homeowners in Des Moines, this means the tax bill reflects both the value of the property and the local tax rates that fund public services. With a median home price of $176,400, property taxes can vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,258, while the 75th percentile reaches $4,200. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill is $5,574, and the highest median tax bill is $5,668 in ZIP code 50321. The lowest median tax bill is $1,678 in ZIP code 50314.
Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, many Des Moines homeowners pay more, making it important to understand how assessments affect annual costs.
Median Des Moines Tax Bill
$3,168
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$3,950
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50309 | $278 | $774 | $2,682 | $4,484 | $6,817 |
| 50310 | $2,404 | $3,082 | $3,816 | $4,630 | $5,442 |
| 50311 | $2,060 | $2,934 | $3,786 | $4,730 | $5,776 |
| 50312 | $2,412 | $3,220 | $4,707 | $7,815 | $11,813 |
| 50313 | $1,426 | $2,006 | $2,576 | $3,280 | $4,226 |
| 50314 | $198 | $1,110 | $1,678 | $2,503 | $3,516 |
| 50315 | $1,794 | $2,410 | $3,090 | $3,728 | $4,344 |
| 50316 | $1,146 | $1,738 | $2,332 | $2,952 | $3,510 |
| 50317 | $1,296 | $1,948 | $2,744 | $3,530 | $4,344 |
| 50320 | $1,372 | $2,640 | $4,166 | $5,354 | $6,260 |
| 50321 | $3,038 | $4,388 | $5,668 | $7,418 | $9,858 |
| 50322 | $2,722 | $3,185 | $3,652 | $4,209 | $5,050 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Polk Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.assess.co.polk.ia.us |