If you are trying to choose between building or buying new in Ankeny or Waukee, the real question is not which city has more activity. Both do. The better question is which market fits your budget, timeline, and lot preferences right now. This guide breaks down how Ankeny’s new construction market compares to Waukee so you can focus your search with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
New construction activity in both cities
Both Ankeny and Waukee remain active for new homes, but the inventory mix looks a little different. According to Waukee’s development updates, the city recorded 42 single-family permits in June 2025 and 30 in October 2025.
Ankeny’s February 2025 permit report also showed a steady stream of detached and attached new construction from several builders, including D.R. Horton, Jerry’s Homes, Sage Homes, Genesis Homes, Greenland Homes, Harvest Ridge Builders, Redwood Builders, and Benson Orth. That tells you both cities offer real opportunities for buyers looking at new builds.
The bigger difference is not whether homes are being built. It is the kind of product each market is putting in front of buyers right now.
Ankeny vs Waukee on price
For many buyers, price is the first filter. Current listing snapshots suggest Ankeny offers a more approachable starting point for detached new construction, while Waukee tends to move into higher price ranges faster.
Realtor.com new construction data shows a median listing price of about $320,000 in Ankeny compared with $355,000 in Waukee. That does not mean every home in Waukee costs more, but it does show a noticeable spread in current pricing.
Ankeny price examples
Current community snapshots in Ankeny include:
- Kimberley Crossing from $315,990
- Canyon Landing from $324,990
- Centennial Estates from $355,000 to $430,000
- A move-in-ready Ankeny home from Kimberley Development at $330,000
These examples point to a market where you may find it easier to enter detached new construction without jumping quickly into the mid-$400,000s.
Waukee price examples
Current Waukee community snapshots include:
- Painted Woods West townhomes from $238,000 to $260,000
- Painted Woods West single-family homes from about $340,000 to $397,000
- Stratford Crossing’s Horton Series from $460,000 to $575,000
- Ashley Acres from $447,900 plus lot
- Castle Ranch from $750,000 to $900,000
In simple terms, Waukee still offers lower-cost attached housing, but single-family pricing appears to climb faster as you move through available communities.
Lot sizes and neighborhood feel
Price matters, but lot size and neighborhood layout can change how a home feels day to day. This is one of the clearest places where Ankeny and Waukee start to separate.
Ankeny lot options
Ankeny’s current lot mix includes both standard subdivision lots and a smaller number of larger homesites. Kimberley Development’s Ankeny communities show King’s Pointe with lots from 50-foot-wide options up to estate lots, Parkway North at Prairie Trail with roughly 10,000 to 15,000 square-foot lots, and Timber Valley Estates with 19 wooded lots that are half an acre or larger.
That gives you a range of choices, but much of the active inventory still leans toward more typical neighborhood-sized lots. If you want a straightforward subdivision setting with some larger pockets mixed in, Ankeny has that balance.
Waukee lot options
Waukee’s active lot supply appears to lean more heavily toward wider and more custom-friendly options. Ashley Acres lot information lists 70-foot to 85-foot-wide lots, while Waukee Crossing lot tables show homesites of roughly 8,450 to 18,304 square feet with flat, daylight, and walkout options.
Painted Woods West plat maps also show lots ranging from about 10,921 to 31,352 square feet. For buyers who care about lot width, walkout potential, or a little more flexibility in site selection, Waukee may offer more of that in its current pipeline.
Inventory and timeline differences
Your move timeline can matter just as much as your budget. If you need to close sooner, the right market may be the one with more move-in-ready or near-finished inventory.
Ankeny for faster move-in options
Ankeny currently looks strong for buyers who want a quicker path to closing. Kimberley Crossing lists 15 move-in-ready homes and 4 to be built, while Centennial Estates has 1 move-in-ready home and 3 to be built.
Kimberley Development’s Ankeny page also shows a move-in-ready home priced at $330,000 plus several homes under construction. If you want new construction without a long build timeline, Ankeny may be the easier place to start.
Waukee for flexibility and future phases
Waukee also has quick-move opportunities, but its inventory mix includes more lot-driven and future-phase options. Painted Woods West lists 15 move-in-ready homes and 4 plans, while Ashley Acres notes market homes under construction and walkout lots still available.
Waukee Crossing is bring-your-own-builder, and Trailridge Creek is noted as coming in Summer 2026. That mix can work well if you want more customization or are comfortable waiting for the right phase or lot.
How location patterns compare
Beyond price and product, each market offers a different location story. In Ankeny, some communities provide access to a range of settings, including King’s Pointe, which can feed North Polk Schools according to Kimberley Development’s community page.
In Waukee, communities like Ashley Acres and Waukee Crossing sit within the Waukee school footprint and near Northwest High School, Triumph Park, and the Hickman/Kettlestone growth corridor. For many buyers, that west-side proximity to newer retail, recreation, and growth areas is part of Waukee’s appeal.
Neither city is a one-size-fits-all answer. The better fit depends on whether your top priorities are purchase price, lot type, customization, or access to certain parts of the metro.
Which city may fit your goals
If you want a practical way to narrow the choice, start with your top three priorities. Most buyers comparing Ankeny and Waukee land in one of these buckets.
Ankeny may be the better fit if you want
- A more approachable detached new construction price point
- More immediate or near-term inventory
- A simpler path to a quicker closing
- Standard subdivision options with a few larger-lot pockets
Based on current inventory and pricing, Ankeny often makes sense for buyers who want new construction value and do not need a highly customized build process.
Waukee may be the better fit if you want
- Wider lots or more walkout and daylight options
- More custom flexibility
- More single-family choices in higher price bands
- Proximity to west-side growth corridors and amenities
Based on the current mix of communities and lots, Waukee often makes sense for buyers who are willing to spend more for lot flexibility, location preferences, or a more tailored build setup.
A smart way to compare both markets
If you are serious about buying new construction, it helps to compare Ankeny and Waukee the same way a local expert would. Look at more than base price alone.
Use this checklist as you tour communities:
- Compare base price versus final price after lot premiums and upgrades
- Ask how many move-in-ready homes are available now
- Review lot width, depth, and grading
- Check whether the community offers flat, daylight, or walkout lots
- Confirm whether you can choose from standard plans or bring your own builder
- Ask about the expected construction timeline
- Compare the community’s access to the parts of the metro you use most
That side-by-side approach can quickly show whether Ankeny or Waukee better matches your daily life and budget.
Final thoughts on Ankeny vs Waukee
Right now, Ankeny appears to offer a cleaner entry point into detached new construction and more near-term inventory for buyers who want a faster move. Waukee appears to offer more wide-lot, walkout, and custom-friendly opportunities, with single-family pricing that often steps up more quickly.
The best choice comes down to what matters most to you. If you want help comparing builders, communities, and move-in-ready options across both markets, the Ingrid Williams Real Estate Team can help you sort through the details and plan your next move with confidence.
FAQs
How does new construction pricing in Ankeny compare to Waukee?
- Current listing snapshots show median new construction pricing at about $320,000 in Ankeny and $355,000 in Waukee, with Waukee single-family options often moving into higher price ranges faster.
Is Ankeny or Waukee better for quick move-in new construction homes?
- Based on current community snapshots, Ankeny appears to have a stronger mix of immediate or near-term inventory for buyers who want a quicker closing.
Are lot sizes larger in Waukee or Ankeny new construction communities?
- Current lot data suggests Waukee leans more toward wider lots and more walkout or daylight options, while Ankeny offers more standard subdivision lots with some larger custom-style pockets.
Does Waukee still offer lower-cost new construction options?
- Yes. Current snapshots show attached housing such as townhomes in Waukee starting below many single-family options, even though detached pricing often rises more quickly.
What should you compare when choosing between Ankeny and Waukee new construction?
- Focus on base price, lot premiums, available inventory, lot type, customization options, build timeline, and how each location fits your routine and priorities.
