Living in Ankeny, IA
Ankeny is the 486th-largest city in the US, home to about 78,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 14.3% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 77,833+14.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $331,0003.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,319/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $108,198median, per year
- Price level
- 91.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 31° / 86°lows 14° / 66°
- Average commute
- 21 min20% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.8%top rate, flat
Been to Ankeny?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
Added to the wishlist on your city passport.
County: Polk County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 991 ft
Metro area: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Cost of living in Ankeny
The median home in Ankeny is worth $331,000 and the median household earns $108,198 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,319 a month, about 15% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area at 91.7, with housing at 84.7 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,800 here. Iowa taxes wages at a top rate of 3.8% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Iowa is 6.94%.
What would my salary be worth in Ankeny?
Ankeny weather
Average highs run from 31°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 14°F. It gets 36 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 36 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 128 times a year. The most comfortable months are July to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Ankeny
People and work
The median resident is 33.6 years old, and 52% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 71% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 20% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.6110th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 52%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 71%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,44031.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%1% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 1.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 4.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 2006median year
Who moves to Ankeny, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Cedar Rapids (Linn County), Iowa City (Johnson County) and Chicago (Cook County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Iowa City (Johnson County), Chicago (Cook County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Polk County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: strong wind, tornado, heat wave, winter weather.
Home prices
+2.3% in a year
Up 35% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
61% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Ankeny
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Iowa State University 21 miles
- Drake University 9 miles
- Grand View University 7 miles
- Simpson College 25 miles
- Mercy College of Health Sciences 9 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Ankeny
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International Airport DSM | 14 mi | 1,555,454 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Ankeny
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | 21 mi | 25,367 | $18,517 | 77% |
| Drake University | 9 mi | 2,543 | $29,415 | 71% |
| Grand View University | 7 mi | 1,486 | $21,705 | 49% |
| Simpson College | 25 mi | 1,227 | $20,460 | 63% |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences | 9 mi | 867 | $25,670 | 55% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Ankeny
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 18, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 9 and the first frost comes around October 20.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Des Moines Intl. Airport, IA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Ankeny.
Wildfire smoke in Ankeny
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Ankeny on about 150 days a year, including about 41 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Ankeny
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 28,361 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Ankeny
Downtown Ankeny is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny Community School District | Pre-K to 12 | 12,746 | 18 | 15.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Des Moines Independent Community School District (30,048 students), Southeast Polk Community School District (7,501 students), Johnston Community School District (7,373 students), Urbandale Community School District (4,208 students), Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (2,824 students), North Polk Community School District (2,336 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Ankeny's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Ankeny's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Noblesville, IN73% matchCompare
- Livonia, MI71% matchCompare
- Champaign, IL71% matchCompare
- Chicago, IL69% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Ankeny
- Ski Snowstar 147 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Ankeny
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.1 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% below the US average (BEA).
- Data The city is growing fast (+14.3% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Ankeny report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Ankeny report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate Ankeny (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about Ankeny
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Ankeny can answer.
Ankeny through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near Ankeny
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 3 mi | 212,086 | $194,700 | 91.7 | Compare |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 104 mi | 137,935 | $187,100 | 89.0 | Compare |
| Iowa City, IA | 105 mi | 76,229 | $285,900 | 91.5 | Compare |
| Omaha, NE | 128 mi | 488,797 | $245,500 | 91.9 | Compare |
| Davenport, IA | 153 mi | 100,358 | $166,400 | 89.1 | Compare |
| Sioux City, IA | 154 mi | 86,356 | $173,600 | 86.5 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Ankeny with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Ankeny a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, short commutes. Compare Ankeny side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Ankeny?
The Census Bureau estimates Ankeny had 77,833 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 68,102 in April 2020 (+14.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Ankeny?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,800 in the Ankeny area. The median household here earns $108,198.
When is the best time to visit Ankeny?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, July to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 31°F for daytime highs.
What county is Ankeny in?
Ankeny is in Polk County, Iowa. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Ankeny in?
Ankeny is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Ankeny?
About 991 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.8% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Ankeny. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Des Moines Intl. Airport, IA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.