Median Age
41 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
19%
Des Moines, WA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,495
Population
32,468
Renter Mix
42% Rent
Puget Sound views just minutes from SeaTac
Coastal
•
Scenic
•
Waterfront
Perched on the eastern shore of Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, Des Moines, Washington offers waterfront living without the big-city price tag. Sitting just south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, this King County city draws residents who want straightforward access to two major metro employment hubs. Highline College anchors the community educationally and brings a steady mix of academic energy to the area year-round.
Neighborhoods like Zenith and Woodmont slope dramatically toward the water, giving inland streets sweeping views of the Sound that most coastal cities charge a premium for. Saltwater State Park, one of the most visited state parks on Puget Sound, sits along a wooded ravine right in the city, offering a natural escape steps from everyday life. The city-operated marina handles moorage, boat launching, and pier fishing, making the waterfront genuinely accessible rather than just scenic.
The housing stock here spans a solid range, from garden-style apartment communities and low-rise buildings to townhomes and single-family rentals. Renters looking for more square footage will find options that feel spacious compared to what similar budgets allow closer to downtown Seattle. Whether you’re drawn by the shoreline, the commuter access, or Highline College, Des Moines delivers a grounded Pacific Northwest lifestyle that holds its own.
Explore the City
Take a bike ride on the trails at the waterfront in Des Moines.
Overlook Puget Sound in Des Moines.
Salt Water State Park in the Des Moines area attracts many dog walkers.
Des Moines' proximity to the Puget Sound invites all sorts of fun activities to be had.
This beachfront home has unusually large windows and unique design features.
Wally's Chowder House is always jam packed with customers enjoying amazing seafood.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$78,149
Average: $99,848
Education
8,641
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
16,051
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Des Moines has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
42%
Non-Renters
58%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
21%
Other Education
79%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Des Moines, WA is $1,224 for a studio, $1,493 for one bedroom, $1,762 for two bedrooms, and $2,043 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Des Moines has increased by 1.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,493/month
614 Sq Ft
House
$3,485/month
1,734 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Des Moines, WA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
495 Students
Public
Grades K-8
439 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
445 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
445 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
537 Students
Public
Grades K-8
439 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
651 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
83 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,873 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
146 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Saltwater State Park
- Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
- Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
- Eagle Landing Park
- Dash Point State Park
Transit / Subway
Airports
- Seattle-Tacoma International
Top Apartments in Des Moines
Houses for Rent in Des Moines
Living in Des Moines
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.