Trying to choose between Ankeny and Des Moines for your first home? You are not alone. Many first-time buyers in central Iowa end up comparing these two areas because each offers a very different path into homeownership. If you want a clearer way to weigh price, home style, commute, and everyday lifestyle, this guide will help you sort through the tradeoffs and move forward with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
Start With Your Budget
For most first-time buyers, budget is the first filter, and in this comparison, it matters a lot. In March 2026, Redfin reported a median sale price of $351,590 in Ankeny and $206,000 in Des Moines. That puts Ankeny roughly $145,590 higher, or about 71% more, using the same market snapshot.
That does not automatically make one area better than the other. It simply means Des Moines often offers a lower entry point, while Ankeny usually asks you to pay more for newer housing, suburban convenience, or both. If your top goal is getting into homeownership with a lower price floor, Des Moines may give you more room to work with.
Other housing trackers support that same general picture. Zillow’s Des Moines home value data showed an average home value of $208,166, with homes going pending in about 44 days, while the research report notes Realtor.com showed Ankeny with a median list price of $365K, 59 median days on market, and a 99% sale-to-list ratio in February 2026.
Compare Housing Types
Price matters, but so does what you get for that price. Ankeny and Des Moines have very different housing mixes, and that can shape your first-home experience just as much as the monthly payment.
Ankeny Homes Tend To Be Newer
According to the City of Ankeny housing data, the city’s housing mix includes large-lot single-family, medium-lot single-family, small-lot single-family, single-family attached, and multifamily housing. In 2024 new construction, the mix still leaned heavily toward detached and attached single-family homes, with 47% detached, 28% attached, 3% duplex, and 22% multifamily.
For you as a first-time buyer, that often means more newer subdivisions, newer townhomes, and more uniform neighborhood product. If your wish list includes a more modern layout, newer systems, and a neighborhood built with current development patterns in mind, Ankeny may line up well.
Des Moines Offers More Variety
Des Moines brings a much broader housing mix. PlanDSM describes housing that ranges from single-family homes to high-density apartments, with future land use categories that include low-density through high-density residential.
In practical terms, that points to more older homes, more infill opportunities, and more condo, townhome, and apartment-style options within the city. If you want more choices in home age, lot size, neighborhood layout, or property type, Des Moines may give you a wider field to explore.
Think About Your Commute
Your daily routine matters more than many buyers expect. Two homes can look similar on paper, but the location can feel very different once you live there five or six days a week.
Ankeny Favors A Highway Routine
The City of Ankeny highlights its location at the intersection of I-80 and I-35. DART also serves Ankeny with On Demand service, and Route 9L runs on weekdays between downtown and Ankeny along key corridors.
That setup often works well if you are comfortable with a highway-first commute and want relatively direct regional access. It can be a strong fit if your routine involves driving to different parts of the metro rather than staying close to the urban core.
Des Moines Offers More Central Access
Des Moines has the more built-out transit network. DART’s route map shows service tied closely to downtown and major districts like East Village, the Capitol area, and the Ingersoll/Grand corridor, with multiple local routes connected through DART Central Station.
If you want to live closer to central-city jobs, services, and entertainment, Des Moines may feel more convenient day to day. You may also find that your trips are shorter and less dependent on the interstate, depending on where you work and spend time.
Construction Should Be Part Of The Conversation
There is one more commute factor to keep in mind. The Iowa DOT reports ongoing I-35 reconstruction and interchange work in the Ankeny and Des Moines corridor during 2026.
If commute consistency is a big priority for you, it is smart to consider not just distance, but also construction timing and route flexibility. A home that looks close on a map may feel different during a long road project.
Match The Area To Your Lifestyle
Beyond price and commute, your first home should support the way you want to live. This is where Ankeny and Des Moines often feel the most different.
Ankeny Leans Outdoor And Neighborhood-Focused
The City of Ankeny parks and facilities page says the city has more than 40 parks and 80 miles of trails. The city also highlights amenities like the Ankeny Market and Pavilion, the Ankeny Dog Park, and the High Trestle Trail Experience Park.
For many buyers, that creates a lifestyle centered around neighborhood routines, trail access, and outdoor recreation. If your ideal weekend includes walking paths, local parks, and a more streamlined suburban pattern, Ankeny may feel like a natural fit.
Des Moines Feels More Urban And District-Based
PlanDSM says Des Moines has 76 public parks, 52 miles of paved trails, and 15 miles of nature trails. Official downtown resources also point to city-center amenities such as the Principal Riverwalk and nearby open-space destinations like Gray’s Lake and Water Works Park.
That often translates into more variety in dining, entertainment, and neighborhood character within a shorter radius. If you want more day-to-day options nearby and enjoy a more urban rhythm, Des Moines may better match your lifestyle.
Look At Long-Term Potential
Your first home is not only about today. It is also worth thinking about how each area is evolving and what that could mean for your next few years.
Ankeny Shows Continued Buildout
Ankeny’s long-term story is tied to continued growth and infrastructure investment. The city’s South Ankeny Boulevard Revitalization Plan and 2025 Transportation Master Plan point to future investment, development review, and more than $150 million in transportation funding in the near-to-mid term.
That suggests a city that is still actively building and improving. If you like the idea of buying in an area with ongoing physical investment and newer development patterns, Ankeny may appeal to you.
Des Moines Reflects Reinvestment And Infill
Des Moines has a different kind of long-term upside. PlanDSM’s long-range framework emphasizes urban design, development predictability, neighborhood revitalization, and a wide range of housing types and densities.
For first-time buyers, that can mean opportunities in older homes, renovation potential, and urban-adjacent locations that may continue to evolve over time. If you are open to more home styles and want to be part of an established city with ongoing reinvestment, Des Moines deserves a serious look.
A Simple Way To Decide
If you are stuck between the two, try asking yourself a few direct questions:
- Do you need the lowest possible entry point? Des Moines may offer more options.
- Do you prefer newer homes or newer townhomes? Ankeny may be the better fit.
- Do you want a more suburban, car-friendly routine? Ankeny may line up with that goal.
- Do you want more housing variety and a more central urban lifestyle? Des Moines may make more sense.
- Do you care more about neighborhood trail access and newer development, or about city access and home-type flexibility?
There is no universally right answer here. The best choice depends on your price range, your work routine, your comfort with home age and maintenance, and the kind of day-to-day life you want after closing.
If you are comparing Ankeny and Des Moines for your first home, having a local guide can make the decision much less overwhelming. Dan Rozga can help you compare options, narrow your search, and move forward with a strategy that fits your budget and goals.
FAQs
What is the main price difference between Ankeny and Des Moines for first-time buyers?
- Based on the research report’s March 2026 Redfin data, Ankeny’s median sale price was $351,590 and Des Moines’ was $206,000, so Ankeny was about $145,590 higher.
What types of homes are more common in Ankeny for a first home purchase?
- Ankeny’s housing mix leans more toward detached and attached single-family homes, which often means newer subdivisions and newer townhome options for first-time buyers.
What types of homes are more common in Des Moines for first-time buyers?
- Des Moines offers a wider range of housing types, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and higher-density housing, which can create more variety in price points and property styles.
Which area may be better if you want a shorter trip to central Des Moines amenities?
- Des Moines may be a better fit if you want to live closer to downtown, central-city jobs, and district-based amenities, based on the city’s transportation pattern and DART network.
How should first-time buyers think about commute routes between Ankeny and Des Moines?
- You should look at both distance and road conditions, especially since the research report notes ongoing I-35 construction work in the corridor during 2026.
Which area may fit first-time buyers who want newer development and trail access?
- Ankeny may appeal more to buyers who want newer housing patterns, neighborhood-oriented amenities, and access to a large park and trail system.
