# Lots and Land Prices in Des Moines: Typical Ranges and What Drives Them _Last updated: 2026-10-05T07:43:17Z_ > Des Moines buyers typically see lots and land prices of $1,345 to $4,169 per job, settling near $2,368 for an average job. ## Typical cost at a glance | Level | Price | | --- | --- | | Low | ~$1,345 | | Typical | ~$2,368 | | High | ~$4,169 | _Currency: USD, per job._ ## Cost by type | Type | Low | Typical | High | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Baseline transaction cost | ~$1,345 | ~$2,757 | ~$4,169 | | Below-median price scenario | ~$1,103 | ~$2,490 | ~$3,877 | | Above-median price scenario | ~$1,506 | ~$3,630 | ~$5,753 | | Lender and government fees | ~$161 | ~$644 | ~$1,126 | | Competitive or fast-moving market | ~$1,641 | ~$3,989 | ~$6,337 | ## How to compare quotes for land Cheapest is not the same as best value for land. A slightly higher quote with a complete scope and no open-ended extras is often safer than the lowest figure with caveats. ## What Lots and Land typically costs Most buyers in Des Moines see land quoted between $1,345 and $4,169 per job. The typical figure is close to $2,368, and that is the number worth writing into a budget before you request quotes. ## Budgeting for land Set aside the typical figure, near $2,368 per job, and treat anything closer to $1,345 as a bonus rather than a target. For land, the middle of the range is the realistic number. ## What moves the price of land What pushes land toward the top of its range? Premium materials, awkward access, urgent scheduling, extra permits and disposal. Each is optional to a degree, and each should be itemised before you compare totals. ## Timing your land Timing changes what you pay for land. Demand peaks around holidays, seasonal deadlines and the start of the busy season, and prices follow. Booking in a quieter window is one of the few levers that lowers the figure without cutting scope. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does land cost? Most land falls between $1,345 and $4,169, with a typical figure near $2,368 per job. The low end is a straightforward job with no surprises; the high end covers complex scope, premium materials or urgent timing. It is worth testing that against a couple of quotes in Des Moines. ### What affects the price of land? No single factor decides it — scope, materials, access and timing all move the total, and the biggest swings usually come from access and scheduling. Local providers in Des Moines can confirm how that applies to your area. ### Is Lots and Land cheaper in smaller cities? Often, but not always. Smaller markets can carry a travel or availability premium that offsets a lower local rate, so it is worth checking a nearby city before assuming the lowest published figure applies to you. In Des Moines, that is worth confirming with a local provider before you commit. ### How many quotes should I get for land? Two or three written quotes are enough to see the real market range. Compare the same scope side by side, and ask each provider what is excluded and what would change the price after the quote is accepted. The answer can shift with the Des Moines market, so check locally. ## Keep comparing - [Real Estate](/category/real-estate/) - [Mobile Homes](/des-moines/mobile-home/) - [Commercial Real Estate](/des-moines/commercial-real-estate/) - [Rent to Own](/des-moines/rent-to-own/) - [Foreclosures](/des-moines/foreclosures/) - [Relocation Costs](/des-moines/relocation-costs/) - [ADUs](/des-moines/accessory-dwelling/) - [Cedar Rapids](/cedar-rapids/landscaping-realestate/) - [Davenport](/davenport/landscaping-realestate/) - [Des Moines](/des-moines/landscaping-realestate/) - [Sioux City](/sioux-city/landscaping-realestate/) --- These are planning ranges drawn from public price data and market research. They are not a quote, an offer or financial advice, and your actual price depends on the provider, the location and the scope of the work.