Average Rent in Des Moines, IA
What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?
The average listed apartment rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,301 per month, as of November 11, 2026. This sample includes 119 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 6, 2026 through November 11, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.
10 apartment buildings, 119 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.
Browse apartments in Des Moines, IACheapest
$695/mo
Canary Lofts
Properties
10
tracked daily
Units
119
available now
Des Moines, IA Resident Access
City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips.
Analysis
Rent Price Breakdown
Compare pricing across all 10 properties in Des Moines, IA.
Average rent trend, last 3 months
All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.
Average Rent by Property
Starting Price vs Average
Rent by Bedroom Count
Price per Square Foot
Des Moines, IA Rent Prices
All 10 properties ranked by lowest available rent.
Canary Lofts
2530 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA
Sutton Hill
2100 SE King Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
Rowat Lofts
601 E Vine St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Cityville Apartments
550 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Melbourne
5515 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
District at 6th
201 SE 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Gateway Lofts
1719 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canary Lofts 2530 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA | $695 | $974 | $1.70/ft² | 3.1 (39) | 6 |
| 2 | Sutton Hill 2100 SE King Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA | $845 | $912 | $1.24/ft² | 4 (107) | 13 |
| 3 | Rowat Lofts 601 E Vine St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA | $855 as of Oct 30 | $1,054 | $1.66/ft² | 3.9 (108) | 22 |
| 4 | Cityville Apartments 550 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA | $940 | $1,239 | $1.68/ft² | 4.4 (152) | 42 |
| 5 | Melbourne 5515 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA | $975 | $975 | $1.49/ft² | 3.9 (91) | 1 |
| 6 | District at 6th 201 SE 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA | $1,048 | $1,398 | $1.53/ft² | 3.5 (96) | 23 |
| 7 | Gateway Lofts 1719 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA | $1,245 | $1,441 | $1.38/ft² | 4.4 (41) | 5 |
Rent & Price History by Building
Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.
Canary Lofts
3.1 (39)2530 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA
Sutton Hill
4 (107)2100 SE King Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
Rowat Lofts
3.9 (108)601 E Vine St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Cityville Apartments
4.4 (152)550 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
Melbourne
3.9 (91)5515 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA
District at 6th
3.5 (96)201 SE 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
By Area
Des Moines, IA neighborhoods
Tracked buildings across 4 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.
Des Moines, IA Average Rent Prices 2026
The average listed rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,301 per month, based on 119 units across 10 apartment communities. Prices range from $695 at Canary Lofts to $2,318 at Level.
Average Rent by Bedroom Type
| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $929/mo | $695/mo | 20 |
| 1 Bed | $1,274/mo | $845/mo | 50 |
| 2 Bed | $1,414/mo | $889/mo | 45 |
| 3 Bed | $2,217/mo | $2,175/mo | 4 |
We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.
Market Context
Who rents in Des Moines, IA, and what they pay
Tracked one-bedroom rent in Des Moines, IA averages $1,274/mo , with two-bedroom units averaging $1,414/mo. At the local median household income of $63,966, that works out to 24% of gross income, well within the 25 percent comfortable-rent threshold.
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Des Moines, IA at $1,054/mo. The current tracked market average runs 23% higher than that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Des Moines, IA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.
Who employs renters in Des Moines
Demand in the Des Moines rental market is shaped by the metro's largest private and public employers. The following organizations anchor local hiring and influence what renters can pay:
- Principal Financial
- Wells Fargo
- Nationwide Insurance
- UnityPoint Health
Mean one-way commute in Des Moines, IA is 20 minutes, per the Census ACS, useful context when weighing which properties sit inside reasonable reach of these employers.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Des Moines, IA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$52,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $1,301/mo.
Comfortable income
$62,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($695/mo), you need to earn at least $28,000/year.
Median household income in Des Moines, IA is $63,966 , about 2% above the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Des Moines, IA
Overall prices in Des Moines, IA runs below the national average by about 7% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 92.8, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Des Moines, IA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $1,301 |
| Utilities | $370 |
| Groceries | $522 |
| Transportation | $882 |
| Healthcare | $430 |
| Other goods and services | $688 |
| Estimated total | $4,193/mo |
Population
212,464
Median household income
$63,966
Census median rent
$1,054/mo
Census rent burden
28.8%
Median age
34.6
Mean commute
20 min
Methodology
Rent data
We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Compare
Nearby cities in Iowa
How Des Moines, IA rent compares to other markets in the state.
| City | Avg Rent | vs Des Moines, IA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines, IA | $1,450 | +11% | +4.3% | 19 |
| Ankeny, IA | $1,401 | +8% | +13.1% | 14 |
| Ames, IA | $1,141 | -12% | +6.1% | 12 |
| Boone, IA | $17,653 | +1257% | -11% | 11 |
| Sioux City, IA | $1,019 | -22% | -- | 11 |
| Davenport, IA | $807 | -38% | -16.1% | 10 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?
The average listed apartment rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,301 per month, as of November 11, 2026. This sample includes 119 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
What is the median rent in Des Moines, IA?
The median asking rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,314 per month, computed from 119 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $1,301/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.
What is the cheapest apartment rent in Des Moines, IA?
The lowest available rent in Des Moines, IA starts at $695 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA?
1-bedroom apartments in Des Moines, IA average $1,274/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $845/mo across 50 units tracked.
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA?
2-bedroom apartments in Des Moines, IA average $1,414/mo. Units start from $889/mo across 45 units currently listed.
Rent Trends in Des Moines, IA
Track how apartment prices are changing over time.
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