Elevation
Des Moines elevation
Des Moines, Iowa is 873 feet (266 meters) above sea level.
What 873 feet means in Des Moines
Among the 200 cities on this site, Des Moines is higher than most. At 873 ft the thinner air is not something most people notice day to day.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Des Moines a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 28.99 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg. See today’s live barometric pressure in Des Moines.
Cooking. Water boils at about 210 °F (99.1 °C) here, almost the same as at sea level. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact elevation where you are standing, use What is my elevation?
Elevation of places near Des Moines
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 1,060 | 323 | 123 mi |
| Lincoln, NE | 1,204 | 367 | 168 mi |
| Kansas City, MO | 899 | 274 | 180 mi |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 1,470 | 448 | 208 mi |
| Minneapolis, MN | 830 | 253 | 234 mi |
| Madison, WI | 876 | 267 | 238 mi |
| St. Louis, MO | 466 | 142 | 273 mi |
| Springfield, MO | 1,299 | 396 | 304 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation of Des Moines?
Des Moines, Iowa is about 873 feet (266 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Des Moines because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 873 ft is about 28.99 inHg (982 hPa), 97% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 97% as much oxygen as at sea level. Live barometric pressure in Des Moines.
At what temperature does water boil in Des Moines?
About 210 °F (99.1 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.