Last updated
Average Rent in Des Moines, IA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 1 apartment community in Des Moines, IA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$1,508/mo
▲ +17.6% from last month
Lowest Available
$1,500/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
1
tracked daily
Units Listed
2
available now
Rent by Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
Compare average rent across Des Moines, IA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Des Moines | $1,302 | $1,030 | 2 | 14 |
| Drake | $1,084 | $890 | 1 | 20 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Des Moines, IA?
As of May 2026, the average rent in Des Moines, IA is $1,508 per month across 1 apartment community and 2 available units. Rents have increased $235 (17.6%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is Ingersoll Square Apartments starting at $1,500/mo. By unit type, a 1-bedroom averages $1,508/mo.
Prices range from $1,500 to $1,515 per month. The most common price point is the $1,400 range, where 2 units are currently listed.
Des Moines, IA Rent Price History
Rent by Bedroom Type in Des Moines, IA
Rent Prices by Apartment in Des Moines, IA
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingersoll Square Apartments | $1,500/mo | $1,508/mo | 2 | 4.1 |
Google Search Trends for Des Moines, IA Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Des Moines, IA
What is the average rent in Des Moines, IA?
Is rent going up or down in Des Moines, IA?
What is the cheapest apartment in Des Moines, IA?
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA?
How many apartments are available in Des Moines, IA?
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
$60,000/year
30 percent rule -- using our average rent of $1,508/mo.
Comfortable income
$72,000/year
25 percent rule -- leaves more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,500/mo), you need to earn at least $60,000/year.
Median household income in Des Moines, IA is $63,966 , about 12% below 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) | $1,508 |
| Utilities | $370 |
| Groceries | $522 |
| Transportation | $882 |
| Healthcare | $430 |
| Other goods and services | $688 |
| Estimated total | $4,400/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.
Explore Des Moines, IA Apartments
Browse all 1 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.