What is the average apartment size in Des Moines?

The average size for a Des Moines, IA apartment is 779 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.

What is the average rent in Des Moines?

As of Aug / 2026, the average rent in Des Moines is $1,119 per month, a 1.46% increase from last years average of $1,103.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, studios rent for $913 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,078 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $1,162 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $1,726 per month

What is the average apartment size in Des Moines?

The typical apartment in Des Moines offers about 779 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Des Moines?

Studio apartments in Des Moines average 463 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 660 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 925 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,247 sq. ft.

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines include Fort Des Moines ($823/month), Meredith ($835/month), and South Des Moines ($845/month), all below the citywide average of $1,119.

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

The most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines are North of Grand ($1,286/month), Downtown Des Moines ($1,347/month), and Historic East Village ($1,393/month), often due to premium locations and high-end amenities.

Des Moines, IA Rental Market Trends

Q: What's the typical rent budget in Des Moines?

The typical rent budget in Des Moines ranges from to per month, with 48% of rentals in this range.

Q: Do most people rent or own in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, 40% of households rent while 60% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: September 30, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Des Moines is $1,119, a 1.46% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,103.

Studio Apartments at $913 offer the most budget-friendly option with 463 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 660 square feet for $1,078, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-bedroom units at $1,162 offer 925 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,247 sq ft) for $1,726, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Des Moines, IA

Last updated: September 30, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$1,119	779 sq. ft.
Studio	$913	463 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,078	660 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$1,162	925 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$1,726	1,247 sq. ft.

Des Moines, IA rent trends

Rental prices in Des Moines, IA have increased by 1.46% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,103 to $1,119.

What's the typical rent budget in Des Moines, IA?

The largest share of rentals in Des Moines, IA (48%) fall between - per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.

Do most people rent or own in Des Moines, IA?

35,599 or 40% of the households in Des Moines, IA are renter-occupied while 54,506 or 60% are owner-occupied.

Most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?

Fort Des Moines $823/month

Meredith $835/month

South Des Moines $845/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,119/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

North of Grand $1,286/month

Downtown Des Moines $1,347/month

Historic East Village $1,393/month

These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.

Average Rent in Des Moines, IA By Neighborhood

Neighborhood	Average Rent
Historic East Village	$1,393
Downtown Des Moines	$1,347
North of Grand	$1,286
McKinley School - Columbus Park	$1,221
Woodland Heights	$1,184
Sherman Hill	$1,139
Drake	$1,046
Douglas Acres	$1,025
River Woods	$958
Prospect Park	$942
Southwestern Hills	$937
Magnolia Park	$923
South Park	$905
Capitol Park	$897
Pioneer Park	$845
South Des Moines	$845
Meredith	$835
Fort Des Moines	$823

Des Moines | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Capitol Park is 12% lower than in Douglas Acres

$897

Capitol Park rent is 20% lower than Des Moines average

Average Rent $897

$1,025

Douglas Acres rent is 8% lower than Des Moines average

Average Rent $1,025

How Des Moines Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Des Moines	$1,119
Waukee	$1,422
West Des Moines	$1,330
Cedar Rapids	$1,114
Ames	$1,390
Davenport	$1,004
Council Bluffs	$1,291
Ankeny	$1,388
Iowa City	$1,509
Bettendorf	$1,396
Urbandale, IA	$1,026
Grimes, IA	$1,337
Johnston, IA	$1,398
Altoona, IA	$1,291
Norwalk, IA	$1,255
Clive, IA	$1,204
Bondurant, IA	$1,107

Where this data comes from

The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Des Moines apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.

Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.