Perhaps one of the biggest drivers of growth is affordability. Single-family home lots sell in Des Moines' fringe cities for about $20,000 less than in the metro's core, said Rachel Flint, vice president of Hubbell Homes. With construction costs skyrocketing, the price of the land a home is built on can make all the difference in buyers getting the size of home and interior finishes they want, she said.

"People understand now more than ever that having a space that you love is everything. So to get more house for your money, people are willing to move out a little farther in order to get that," Flint said.

Read the full article in the Des Moines Register HERE.