Last updated
Average Rent in Downtown Des Moines & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 7 apartment communities in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$1,369/mo
▲ +0.9% from last month
Lowest Available
$939/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
7
tracked daily
Units Listed
87
available now
Downtown Des Moines vs Des Moines, IA Average
Downtown Des Moines is more expensive than the Des Moines, IA average by $85/mo (7%). The citywide average is $1,284/mo across all neighborhoods.
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Downtown Des Moines?
As of August 2026, the average rent in Downtown Des Moines is $1,369 per month across 7 apartment communities and 87 available units. Rents have increased $13 (0.9%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is District at 6th starting at $939/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $1,262/mo, a 1-bedroom averages $1,287/mo, a 2-bedroom averages $1,598/mo, a 3-bedroom averages $2,272/mo.
Prices range from $939 to $2,395 per month. The most common price point is the $1,200 range, where 26 units are currently listed.
Downtown Des Moines Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | $1,548 | - | 6 |
| July 2026 | $1,460 | -$88 | 8 |
| August 2026 | $1,416 | -$44 | 7 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Average Rent by Bedroom
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Downtown Des Moines
Rent Prices by Apartment in Downtown Des Moines
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District at 6th | $939/mo | $1,367/mo | 22 | 3.5 |
| Cityville Apartments | $940/mo | $1,269/mo | 31 | 4.4 |
| Rowat Lofts | $995/mo | $1,208/mo | 14 | 3.9 |
| Gateway Lofts | $1,245/mo | $1,513/mo | 5 | 4.4 |
| The Nexus at Gray's Landing | $1,250/mo | $1,425/mo | 3 | 3.6 |
| Rocket Transfer Lofts | $1,339/mo | $1,362/mo | 3 | 4.4 |
| Level | $1,517/mo | $1,877/mo | 9 | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Downtown Des Moines
What is the average rent in Downtown Des Moines?
Is rent going up or down in Downtown Des Moines?
What is the cheapest apartment in Downtown Des Moines?
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Downtown Des Moines?
How many apartments are available in Downtown Des Moines?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Downtown Des Moines?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$55,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $1,369/mo.
Comfortable income
$66,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($939/mo), you need to earn at least $38,000/year.
Median household income in Downtown Des Moines is $63,966 , about 3% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Downtown Des Moines
Overall prices in Downtown Des Moines 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 Downtown Des Moines's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $1,369 |
| Utilities | $370 |
| Groceries | $522 |
| Transportation | $882 |
| Healthcare | $430 |
| Other goods and services | $688 |
| Estimated total | $4,261/mo |
Population
212,464
Median household income
$63,966
Census median rent
$1,054/mo
Rent as % of income
28.8%
Median age
34.6
Mean commute
20 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
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
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
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.
Google Search Trends for Downtown Des Moines Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Downtown Des Moines Apartments
Browse all 7 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.