Des Moines has 12 state-licensed assisted living communities: 11 larger communities and 1 small residential home (16 or fewer residents). The median cost of assisted living in Iowa is $5,381 a month (CareScout 2025), against $6,200 nationally.
Most communities don't publish prices. Tell us who you're looking for and a local advisor will send current rates and availability for the assisted living options that fit.
Both are licensed by Iowa as assisted living. Larger communities suit people who want social life and on-site services; small homes suit people who do better with quiet, familiar routines, including many people with dementia. Iowa words these licenses as “Assisted Living Program” (12).
Every assisted living community Iowa licenses in Des Moines, from state records. Being listed is not a rating: Lilisity scores only communities with verified interviews (the Top Communities). Communities with verified reviews are listed first, then by size.
12 shown
| Community | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Calvin Community AL Servicesmemory care4210 Hickman Rd | Large183 residents | Get pricing |
| Prairie Hills at Des Moinesmemory care5815 SE 27th Street | Large128 residents | Get pricing |
| Rose of East Des Moines1331 Idaho Street | Large128 residents | Get pricing |
| 3801 Grandmemory care3801 Grand Ave | Large120 residents | Get pricing |
| Wesley Acres Central AL3520 Grand Ave | Large118 residents | Get pricing |
| Village Assisted Living2555 Guthrie Avenue | Large108 residents | Get pricing |
| Rose of Des Moines1330 19th Street | Large104 residents | Get pricing |
| Gardens at Luther Parkmemory care2910 E. 16th Street | Large100 residents | Get pricing |
| Edencrest at Riverwoods Assisted Livingmemory care2210 East Park Avenue | Large80 residents | Get pricing |
| Arbor Heights at University233 University Ave | Mid-size25 residents | Get pricing |
| John's Harbor Memory Loss Centermemory care3520 Grand Ave. | Mid-size19 residents | Get pricing |
| Claremont's Ramsey Villagememory care1611 27th St | Small home10 residents | Get pricing |
The median cost of assisted living in Iowa is $5,381 a month ($64,572 a year), below the national median of $6,200. That’s CareScout’s 2025 survey, collected July to November 2025. Small residential homes often cost less than larger communities, though care needs, room type and services move the price more than the building does.
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. People pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or VA Aid and Attendance (up to $29,093 a year for a veteran in 2026), and some qualify for Medicaid help with care costs at communities that accept it. Who actually pays for long-term care.
Free tools: how long will the money last? · home care or assisted living? · VA Aid and Attendance estimator
From 22,911 concerns residents and families raised in Senior Living Alliance phone interviews, the most common are about dining, housekeeping and hearing back from management.
All 8 tour questions, with a free printable tour card (PDF).
Iowa publishes licensing records, and in most cases inspection or complaint reports, for every community on this page. Look up any community on the state’s site: data.iowa.gov. Ask the community for its most recent inspection report too; they have to keep it.
Iowa licenses 12 assisted living communities in Des Moines as of September 2026: 11 larger communities and 1 small residential homes of 16 or fewer residents, with about 1,123 licensed spots in all.
The median cost of assisted living in Iowa is $5,381 a month (CareScout 2025), compared with $6,200 nationally. Prices vary with the room, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, or ask a Lilisity advisor for current prices.
Medicaid doesn't pay rent or meals in assisted living. Most states offer a Medicaid waiver or program that can pay for care services at participating communities for people who qualify; not every community takes it, so ask each one. Iowa's Medicaid agency or your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what's available.
Iowa publishes its licensing records at data.iowa.gov. You can also ask any community for its most recent state inspection report.
One call covers which communities have openings, what they cost and which fit your parent's needs and budget.
