Pioneer Park

Des Moines, IA

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Pioneer Park - Des Moines, IA

Area Guide

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Blaze your own trail on Des Moines’ south side

Great Location Quiet Convenient

Tucked into the south side of Des Moines, Pioneer Park feels like a quieter corner of the city, just far enough from downtown to breathe, but close enough to join the action whenever you want. This neighborhood blends open green spaces with residential ease, giving it a laid-back, homegrown vibe that draws longtime locals and new renters alike. Streets are lined with modest homes and low-rise apartment communities, and Pioneer Park itself offers a peaceful retreat with sports fields and walking paths locals actually use.

Life here moves at a gentler pace, with a practical mix of daily essentials and no-fuss hangouts. Grocery stores, casual dining spots, and shops are within easy reach, and nearby Army Post Road connects you quickly to the rest of Des Moines. You’re a short drive from Blank Park Zoo, Southridge Mall, and several golf courses, while downtown is about 15 minutes away for commuters or weekend adventurers. Des Moines Area Community College’s Southridge Center is also close, serving as an educational hub and career training site for residents in the area.

Pioneer Park offers mostly one- and two-bedroom apartment communities, plus a few larger townhome-style rentals tucked between residential blocks. Most options have off-street parking and shared green areas, making them ideal for renters who value space and simplicity. Every fall, the neighborhood draws families and visitors to the Latino Heritage Festival, a celebration of culture and community that’s grown into one of Iowa’s largest events, held right in the heart of Des Moines.

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Rent Trends

As of October 2025, the average apartment rent in Pioneer Park is $747 for one bedroom, $862 for two bedrooms, and $1,150 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Pioneer Park has increased by 3.0% in the past year.

  • 1 BR

  • 643 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $747/month

    Average Rent

  • 2 BR

  • 817 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $862/month

    Average Rent

  • 3 BR

  • 1,092 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,150/month

    Average Rent

Transportation

55

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

25

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

37

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Reviews of Pioneer Park - Des Moines, IA

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4.5 2 Reviews

Current Resident

3 years and 8 months agoNiche Review

Pioneer Park is a quiet area. The people are nice friendly and helpful. I love living in this area, it is very clean and well maintained.

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Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • James W. Cownie Soccer Park
  • Pioneer Park of Des Moines
  • Ewing Park
  • Columbus Park
  • Chesterfield Park

Military Bases

Airports

  • Des Moines International

Top Apartments in Pioneer Park

Property Management Companies

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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 September 2025.