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Rental Market Trends in Des Moines, IA

What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?

$991/month

Average Rent

645 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+0.4%

Increase in the Last Year

As of September 2025, the average rent in Des Moines, IA is $991 per month. This is 40% lower than the national average rent of $1,639/month, making renting in Des Moines more affordable than most cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Des Moines, you can expect to pay about $828 per month for a studio, $991 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $1,113 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $1,475 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$828/month
453 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$991/month
645 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,113/month
919 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,475/month
1,226 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$827/month
616 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,207/month
871 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,666/month
1,299 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$2,165/month
1,829 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,578/month
820 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,258/month
927 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,336/month
1,149 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,825/month
1,475 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Des Moines, IA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 0.4%, which averages out to $5 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated September 2025
Legend
2024 2025
Market Trends Over Time

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?

Based on current rent prices, Arnolds Place, Beaverdale and Doudna Heights-Glen Oaks are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Arnolds Place
$639/month
591 Sq Ft
Beaverdale
$670/month
597 Sq Ft
Doudna Heights-Glen Oaks
$687/month
603 Sq Ft
Martin-Hickman
$734/month
575 Sq Ft
Vista Grove
$734/month
575 Sq Ft
Fort Des Moines
$777/month
608 Sq Ft
Indianola Hills
$798/month
543 Sq Ft
Jordan Park
$815/month
642 Sq Ft
South Park
$829/month
633 Sq Ft
Highland Park
$833/month
737 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

Based on current rent prices, Greenwood Park, Downtown Des Moines and Western Gateway are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Greenwood Park
$1,427/month
787 Sq Ft
Downtown Des Moines
$1,375/month
720 Sq Ft
Western Gateway
$1,350/month
680 Sq Ft
Civic Historic District
$1,306/month
691 Sq Ft
Greenwood
$1,286/month
753 Sq Ft
Salisbury Oaks
$1,234/month
737 Sq Ft
Capitol View South
$1,232/month
665 Sq Ft
Sherman Hill Historic District
$1,222/month
696 Sq Ft
East Village
$1,216/month
677 Sq Ft
Court District
$1,205/month
686 Sq Ft

Which Des Moines neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Des Moines with the most apartments available are Downtown Des Moines, Western Gateway and East Village .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Des Moines
$1,375/month
720 Sq Ft
Western Gateway
$1,350/month
680 Sq Ft
East Village
$1,216/month
677 Sq Ft
Court District
$1,205/month
686 Sq Ft
Capitol View South
$1,232/month
665 Sq Ft
Civic Historic District
$1,306/month
691 Sq Ft
Haines Park-Owl's Head Estates
$1,192/month
678 Sq Ft
Southwestern Hills
$880/month
654 Sq Ft
Woodland Heights
$1,100/month
634 Sq Ft
Sherman Hill
$1,194/month
682 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA?

Because the average rent in Des Moines is $991, you’ll want to make about $3,303 per month or $39,636 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Des Moines, IA is 14.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Des Moines is 34.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $828 - $1,475. You can expect to pay 0.9% less for groceries, 19.4% less for utilities, and 6.5% less for transportation.

City

Des Moines, IA

2,684 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Des Moines, IA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Des Moines, IA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for Des Moines, IA

Apartment Averages

Arnolds Place

Des Moines, IA

Greenwood Park

Des Moines, IA

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
-
-
Three Bedroom
-
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Search
Search

Apartment communities in Des Moines we think you'll love

Cityville

Cityville

550 SW 9th St,
Des Moines, IA 50309

$950 - $2,810

Studio - 3 Beds

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

1800 Watrous Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50315

$770 - $835

Studio - 1 Bed

Rowat Lofts Apartments

Rowat Lofts Apartments

601 E Vine St,
Des Moines, IA 50309

$930 - $1,649

Studio - 2 Beds

The Meridian

The Meridian

425 SW 11th St,
Des Moines, IA 50309

$1,273 - $2,620

Studio - 2 Beds

Property Management Companies in Des Moines, IA

Indigo Living
Indigo Living
  • 39

    Communities

  • 6,074

    Units

  • 13

    Cities

19 Communities in Des Moines
Knapp Properties, LC.
Knapp Properties, LC.
  • 20

    Communities

  • 1,355

    Units

  • 4

    Cities

15 Communities in Des Moines
VAREco
VAREco
  • 13

    Communities

  • 1,357

    Units

  • 3

    Cities

10 Communities in Des Moines
Sherman Associates
Sherman Associates
  • 32

    Communities

  • 4,589

    Units

  • 13

    Cities

8 Communities in Des Moines
Newbury Living
Newbury Living
  • 18

    Communities

  • 1,036

    Units

  • 8

    Cities

8 Communities in Des Moines
Conlin Companies, Inc.
Conlin Companies, Inc.
  • 13

    Communities

  • 1,593

    Units

  • 6

    Cities

8 Communities in Des Moines
Kouri Management Inc.
Kouri Management Inc.
  • 24

    Communities

  • 1,329

    Units

  • 7

    Cities

7 Communities in Des Moines
Perennial Properties Management
Perennial Properties Management
  • 12

    Communities

  • 598

    Units

  • 5

    Cities

7 Communities in Des Moines

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United States Iowa Des Moines Rental Trends

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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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