by Des Moines, IA — Once hailed as one of America’s best places to live, West Des Moines is now making headlines for the wrong reasons. A new analysis from moveBuddha reveals that residents are leaving the city at a much higher rate than anywhere else in the country, signaling a striking reversal for the once-thriving Iowa suburb.
Moving Out: The Alarming Ratio Behind the Trend
According to moveBuddha’s 2025 report, for every 18 people searching for information about moving into West Des Moines, 100 people were looking to move out. The findings show that what was once a highly desirable community has become one of the nation’s most unpopular places to live.
The suburb was ranked among Money magazine’s best places to live in 2016, but newer, younger, and more affordable suburbs have since taken its place.
“Today, Waukee is the state’s top move-to suburb, pulling in more new building permits than West Des Moines,” the report stated.
Rising Prices, Aging Homes Drive the Shift
The report pointed to affordability and aging infrastructure as key reasons for the city’s declining popularity. The average home in West Des Moines is valued at around $319,000, which analysts say is high by Iowa standards.
Meanwhile, the typical home dates back to 1993, compared to the newer housing stock in nearby cities like Ankeny, where homes average just 16 years old. As moveBuddha explained, “new Iowans aren’t seeing an affordability edge in the mature suburb.”
Population Still Growing — For Now
Despite the surge in moving-out searches, West Des Moines’ population has continued to grow steadily since 2000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, migration trends suggest that the pace of growth may slow as more residents relocate to cheaper or warmer destinations.
Another 2025 study from U.S. News & World Report found that the West Des Moines to Phoenix, Arizona route ranked as the third most popular city-to-city migration path in the nation. Analysts believe the shift is driven by residents “seeking warmer year-round weather, perhaps for retirement.”
America’s Other Least Popular Cities
West Des Moines isn’t alone in seeing an exodus. MoveBuddha identified several other cities that residents seem eager to leave. Rounding out the top 10 least popular cities were:
- San Marcos, California
- Port Richey, Florida
- Yonkers, New York
- Moscow, Idaho
- Norwalk, Connecticut
- Lowell, Massachusetts
- Ellicott City, Maryland
- Woodbridge, Virginia
- Issaquah, Washington
The report noted that eight out of ten of these are pricey satellite communities near major metro areas — once seen as ideal suburban escapes, now viewed as too expensive or outdated. Examples include Yonkers, just north of New York City, and Woodbridge, near Washington, D.C.
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“In just about every state, movers are turning on yesterday’s star suburbs,” moveBuddha analysts wrote. “They make up 8 out of the 10 least popular cities and 30 of the 50 states’ top exit cities.”
Broader Moving Trends Across the U.S.
The findings align with broader national data showing more Americans leaving high-cost, older suburbs in favor of newer and more affordable areas. The Journal of Consumer Research found that between March 2024 and 2025, moving interest was highest in expensive states like California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington — all of which appeared in moveBuddha’s report.
Experts say these shifts reflect long-term affordability challenges and changing lifestyle preferences following the pandemic, as people continue seeking lower costs, newer homes, and more flexible living environments.
What’s your take on the mass exodus from once-popular suburbs like West Des Moines? Share your thoughts in the comments at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
