Living and Working in Greater Des Moines

The Greater Des Moines Community ranks

Top in The Nation

For Places to Live
and Work.

The Iowa Clinic is proud to be part of the Greater Des Moines Community

• #1 / #2 Best State to Practice Medicine 
  WalletHub, 3.2017 & MDLinx, 6.2018 / Medscape, 2019

• #1 Best State to Live in America
  U.S. News & World Report, 2018

• #1 Best Places to Live in the Midwest (#5 Best in the U.S.)
  U.S. News & World Report, 2019

• #1 Best State for Jobs
  MarketWatch, 5.2019

• #1 Best City for High Salary & Low Cost of Living
  The Ascent, 2021

• #2 Safest Place to Live in the U.S. 
  U.S. News & World Report, 2021

Testimonials

Des Moines is a youthful, growing, energetic city with something for everyone. As a pediatrician, I appreciate that it’s small enough to easily build relationships with patients and families, but large enough area to attract rare and interesting cases.

Dr. Dan Pelzer
Pediatrics

My husband and I love living in Des Moines! We enjoy the size, the cost of living, the opportunities for entertainment and the food and restaurants. It has been a great place for us to live, raise our family and work.

Dr. Kathleen Massop
Obstetrics & Gynecology

By The Numbers

25-34

Fastest Growing Age Group

U.S. Census Bureau

Fastest

Growing Metro in the Midwest

U.S. Census Bureau

8-10%

Lower Cost of Living than the U.S. Average

The Council for Community and Economic Research

100+

Pieces of Public Art in Downtown Alone

800+

Miles of Connected Recreational Trails

20 min

Average Commute Time To Work

U.S. Census Bureau

25.1%

Growth in Foreign-Born Population

Compared to 9.8% in the U.S.; U.S. Census Bureau

Communities

Des Moines is Iowa's capital and hub for business and cultural activity with a metro population of over 645,000. Set on the Des Moines River and amongst rolling hills, Des Moines is a picturesque city with something for everyone to enjoy. Boasting short commute times, low cost of living, excellent schools, and a family-friendly environment, Des Moines offers an idyllic work-life balance.

Learn more about the communities that make up Greater Des Moines.

Learn more about the cost of living in Greater Des Moines.

Education

Greater Des Moines is home to award-winning schools and several secondary education institutions. From public to private and continuing education, Greater Des Moines is known for our quality education system.

Learn more about the educational opportunities that Greater Des Moines has to offer.

Culture

Despite it’s small Midwest town feel, Des Moines might surprise you. In Greater Des Moines, diversity is celebrated, art is prevalent, and events and attractions tout world-wide recognition.

Get a flavor of Des Moines through DSM magazine.

Getting Around

Greater Des Moines is centrally located and a short drive or flight to other major metropolitan areas including Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis. Public transportation options, bike trails, an international airport and short commute times add to the convenience of navigating around Greater Des Moines and beyond.

Learn more about the transportation options in Greater Des Moines.

Things To Do

Whether your hobbies take you to the great outdoors or you love the nightlife, events, and great food, you’ll find your bliss here. Greater Des Moines has a wealth of options, including a packed calendar of cultural events, hundreds of miles of recreational trails, a nationally recognized Farmers’ Market, celebrated art museum and galleries and restaurants with James Beard nominated chefs.