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Rental Market Trends in Des Moines, IA

What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?

$982/month

Average Rent

644 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

0%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of October 2025, the average rent in Des Moines, IA is $982 per month. This is 40% lower than the national average rent of $1,630/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 $820 per month for a studio, $982 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $1,092 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $1,473 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$820/month
451 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$982/month
644 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,092/month
920 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,473/month
1,222 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$884/month
629 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,199/month
834 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,606/month
1,280 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$1,909/month
1,505 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$957/month
723 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,197/month
887 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,314/month
1,179 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,436/month
1,173 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,587/month
1,315 Sq Ft

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

In the past year, rent has decreased by 0%, which averages out to $0 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated October 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, Doudna Heights-Glen Oaks, Arnolds Place and Beaverdale are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Doudna Heights-Glen Oaks
$639/month
591 Sq Ft
Arnolds Place
$639/month
591 Sq Ft
Beaverdale
$651/month
587 Sq Ft
Martin-Hickman
$706/month
575 Sq Ft
Vista Grove
$706/month
575 Sq Ft
Fort Des Moines
$750/month
618 Sq Ft
River Woods
$786/month
640 Sq Ft
Pioneer Park
$791/month
644 Sq Ft
Jordan Park
$817/month
636 Sq Ft
Drake Park
$838/month
590 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

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

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Des Moines
$1,279/month
701 Sq Ft
Western Gateway
$1,265/month
620 Sq Ft
Sherman Hill
$1,227/month
679 Sq Ft
Capitol View South
$1,223/month
673 Sq Ft
Civic Historic District
$1,199/month
678 Sq Ft
Sherman Hill Historic District
$1,197/month
692 Sq Ft
Haines Park-Owl's Head Estates
$1,183/month
673 Sq Ft
East Village
$1,163/month
671 Sq Ft
Court District
$1,158/month
686 Sq Ft
Polk Hubbell Park
$1,102/month
591 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 Court District .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Des Moines
$1,279/month
701 Sq Ft
East Village
$1,163/month
671 Sq Ft
Court District
$1,158/month
686 Sq Ft
Capitol View South
$1,223/month
673 Sq Ft
Western Gateway
$1,265/month
620 Sq Ft
Civic Historic District
$1,199/month
678 Sq Ft
Haines Park-Owl's Head Estates
$1,183/month
673 Sq Ft
Woodland Heights
$1,043/month
620 Sq Ft
Sherman Hill
$1,227/month
679 Sq Ft
North of Grand
$951/month
630 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 $982, you’ll want to make about $3,273 per month or $39,276 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 $820 - $1,473. 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

2,739 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

Doudna Heights-Glen Oaks

Des Moines, IA

Downtown Des Moines

Des Moines, IA

Studio
$655/month
$945/month
One Bedroom
$790/month
$1,158/month
Two Bedroom
$913/month
$1,619/month
Three Bedroom
-
$2,247/month
Search
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Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Altoona Average Rent
  • West Des Moines Average Rent
  • Johnston Average Rent

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

418 East Grand

418 East Grand

418 E Grand Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50309

$755 - $1,410

Studio - 2 Beds

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

1800 Watrous Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50315

$735 - $960

Studio - 2 Beds

Rowat Lofts Apartments

Rowat Lofts Apartments

601 E Vine St,
Des Moines, IA 50309

$805 - $1,490

Studio - 2 Beds

Property Management Companies in Des Moines, IA

Indigo Living
Indigo Living
  • 39

    Communities

  • 5,954

    Units

  • 13

    Cities

19 Communities in Des Moines
Knapp Properties, LC.
Knapp Properties, LC.
  • 18

    Communities

  • 1,218

    Units

  • 4

    Cities

13 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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Equal Housing Opportunity