Mezzo on Walnut
606 Walnut St,
Des Moines, IA 50309
Studio - 2 Beds | $1,100 - $2,900
Rental Market Trends in Des Moines, IA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,020/month.
Rent in Des Moines is 39% lower than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,020/month
Average Rent
642 Sq Ft
Average Size
+1.4%
Change / Year
2,116
Available Apartments
Des Moines rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Des Moines average $849 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Des Moines average $1,020 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Des Moines average $1,141 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Des Moines average $1,548 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Des Moines, IA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.4%, which averages out to $15 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Des Moines, IA
September 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
10%
Below $700/month
54%
$700 - $1,000/month
27%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
5%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
3%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?
Based on current rent prices, Campus Park-Wright's Grove, Highland Park and Chesterfield are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?
Based on current rent prices, East Village, Capitol Park and Downtown Des Moines are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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, East Village and Sherman Hill .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA?
Because the average rent in Des Moines is $1,020, you’ll want to make about $3,400 per month or $40,800 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 17.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Des Moines is 37.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $849 - $1,548. You can expect to pay 1.4% less for groceries, 21.8% less for utilities, and 4.0% less for transportation.
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.
View the Des Moines Area GuideStudio
-
$1,038/month
One Bedroom
$799/month
$1,259/month
Two Bedroom
$900/month
$1,555/month
Three Bedroom
-
$1,855/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Pleasant Hill
Avg Rent: $766/month
-
Windsor Heights
Avg Rent: $1,197/month
-
Carlisle
Avg Rent: $702/month
-
Norwalk
Avg Rent: $1,076/month
-
Altoona
Avg Rent: $1,117/month
-
Cumming
Avg Rent: $1,298/month
-
West Des Moines
Avg Rent: $1,129/month
-
Johnston
Avg Rent: $1,111/month
Apartment Communities in Des Moines We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Des Moines?
The average rent in Des Moines is $1,020 per month, which is 38.7% lower than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Des Moines?
The average rent for a house in Des Moines, IA is $1,684 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Des Moines?
The average rent for a townhome in Des Moines, IA is $1,445 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in Des Moines?
The average rent for a condo in Des Moines, IA is $1,304 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Des Moines?
Rents in Des Moines, IA are increasing, with prices up 1.4% year-over-year and $15 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Des Moines?
In Des Moines, IA, 54% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.