01
Moderate competition gives you breathing room to test price points and service models. (moderate benchmark).
Data-Driven Market Intelligence
Best Business Location in Des Moines
Des Moines offers 707,000 metro customers, $62,000 average income, and moderate commercial activity—ideal conditions for data-led site selection.
Metro reach of 707,000 places Des Moines ahead of 71% of cities we track—plenty of residents to segment.
65 readiness score (B)
707,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
707K
Metro Population
$62K
Avg Income
Moderate
Business Density
5
Major Industries
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Des Moines, United States
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High Traffic Areas
707,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Des Moines Business Environment
Market Insights
- Metro reach of 707,000 places Des Moines ahead of 71% of cities we track—plenty of residents to segment.
- Average household income of $62,000 ranks 83th percentile, so discretionary spend is resilient.
- Foot traffic scores 69/100—12% below the norm—so storefronts can lean on organic discovery.
- Commercial rent averages $22/sq ft—32% below peer cities—so unit economics must be tight.
- Moderate density suggests room to plant a flag before competition heats up in Des Moines.
- Moderate competition provides a balance of proof and whitespace—perfect for testing rollouts.
- Des Moines's economy leans on Insurance, Finance, so partner marketing with those sectors accelerates adoption.
- Located in Iowa, United States with USD currency
Top Industries
Insurance
Finance
Healthcare
Agriculture
Government
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Des Moines Neighborhood Analysis
Discover the best neighborhoods for your business type in Des Moines
Des Moines offers a mix of commercial settings including the central business district, neighborhood retail corridors, and emerging development areas—each with unique rent-to-traffic dynamics
Successful Des Moines businesses match their location strategy to target demographics—downtown for office crowds, residential areas for neighborhood regulars, suburban for family-oriented services
Extended metro area provides 3.3x population reach beyond city limits, supporting suburban expansion strategies
Downtown/City Center
- • Highest foot traffic density
- • Premium rental costs
- • Best for retail & restaurants
- • Excellent public transport access
Business Districts
- • High concentration of offices
- • Ideal for B2B services
- • Strong weekday traffic
- • Growing food & beverage demand
Suburban Areas
- • Lower rental costs
- • Family-oriented demographics
- • Ample parking availability
- • Good for service businesses
Emerging Areas
- • High growth potential
- • Lower competition density
- • Opportunity for early movers
- • Rising property values
Des Moines Business Readiness Score
Data-driven viability assessment
B
65
Overall Score
8
market size
16
income level
12
business activity
13
foot traffic
16
growth outlook
Best Business Types for Des Moines
Find location-specific insights for different business types in Des Moines
Restaurant in Des Moines
Analyze foot traffic patterns, demographics, and competition for restaurants
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Retail Store in Des Moines
Find high-traffic retail locations with ideal customer demographics
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Coffee Shop in Des Moines
Locate areas with morning traffic and office worker density
View analysis
Industry Synergy Opportunities in Des Moines
Top industries creating demand for specific business types
Finance
High-income professionals support premium services and luxury retail
Best Business Types:
Restaurant
Salon & Spa
Retail Store
Healthcare
Healthcare clusters attract patients and create medical service demand
Best Business Types:
Medical Clinic
Dental Office
Pharmacy
Cost Analysis
Cost of Operations in Des Moines
Financial breakdown for a 1,500 sq ft location
Startup Investment
Basic Setup
3 months rent + basics
Standard Buildout
6 months rent + furnishing
Premium Finish
12 months rent + premium
Monthly Operating
Rent (1,500 sqft)
$33,000
Utilities & Services
$3,300
Labor (2 employees)
$4,960
Total Monthly
Break-even target
Cost Insights
Affordable rent at $22/sqft enables competitive pricing strategies
Des Moines Market Entry Timing
Data-driven signals for optimal business launch timing
48
/ 100
Moderate - Strategic Entry
With moderate saturation, Des Moines rewards operators who execute fundamentals exceptionally well. Invest in staff training, consistent quality, and local community engagement over the next 6-12 months to build sustainable advantage.
Entry Timing Factors
📈
High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
⚖️
Moderate competition - balanced market entry
Business Performance in Des Moines
Market dynamics and success indicators
Solid middle-class income base ($62,000) generates consistent consumer demand across service categories
Market Signals
Des Moines Insights That Guide Expansion
Each metric is generated for this city so every page tells a different story about demand, rents, and timing.
02
Leasing 1,200 sq ft at $22/sq ft prices in 5.1x average incomes—plan menus and merchandising accordingly.
03
Des Moines's 69/100 traffic index sits 12% below average, so activate storefronts like always-on billboards.
04
The metro catchment is 3.3x larger than city limits (707,000 vs 214,000), opening suburban roll-out paths once the core site is stable.
05
Insurance, Finance, Healthcare employers anchor daytime demand, making B2B partnerships a reliable lever.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Des Moines
Answers refresh based on Des Moines's live data so there's no duplicate copy across cities.
How expensive is retail space relative to incomes in Des Moines?
A 1,200-sq-ft footprint at $22/sq ft runs roughly 5.1x the local average income ($62,000). Layer in menu engineering or ticket-size plays to offset the rent load.
Can I rely on organic foot traffic in Des Moines?
Yes—pedestrian flow scores 69/100, about 12% below the cross-market average, so plan signage and staffing around steady discovery.
How far can I scale within the Des Moines metro?
The metro area pulls 3.3x the population of city proper, so once the flagship location performs you can replicate into surrounding districts without leaving the DMA.
How crowded is the Des Moines market?
Moderate competition in Des Moines means Moderate competition gives you breathing room to test price points and service models. Adjust launch playbooks to match the crowding level.
What growth trajectory is Des Moines on?
Des Moines carries a high growth potential rating, which shapes whether you sprint into multi-unit rollout or pace hiring.
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