| STUDIO | $1,072+ |
| 1 BED | $1,262+ |
| 2 BEDS | $1,605+ |
| 1 BED | $1,253+ |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| STUDIO | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | Ask for Pricing |
| 2 BEDS | $1,017+ |
| 1 BED | $625 |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | $742 |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | $933 |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | $870 |
| 2 BEDS | $885+ |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | Ask for Pricing |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 2 BEDS | $900+ |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | Ask for Pricing |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| STUDIO | $710 |
| 1 BED | $780 |
| 2 BEDS | $810 |
Rental prices in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA have increased by 3.78% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,281 to $1,329.
Check out the average rent in Des Moines.
The national average price of rental apartments is $1,741, while the average monthly rent in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is $1,329.
The average monthly rent for an apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is around $1,329.
A share of 22% of apartments in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA have the cheapest rents between ≤ $1000. Around 6% of rentals are $2,001-$2,500. Around 51% of Downtown Des Moines's apartments have monthly rents between $1,001-$1,500. There are 18% of apartments with rents between $1,501-$2,000. A share of 3% of apartment rentals in Des Moines are in the $2,501-$3,000 range.
The largest share of rentals in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA (51%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Prices and availability in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA were last updated on 25 Feb 2026.
The best apartments in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA are: Matilda 235 Townhomes, Nexus at Gray's Landing, The Equitable Building, Wilkins Bldg and Confluence on 3rd Apartments.
The average rent in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is $1,233.
The price range for a studio apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is between $1,072 and $1,471.
The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is between $690 and $2,140.
The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is between $790 and $2,795.
The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA is between $1,253 and $2,410.
In Downtown Des Moines 88% of the housing is rented out compared to 12% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 51% of Downtown Des Moines's apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 46% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 2% are single-family rentals.
Downtown Des Moines is known among local renters as a central business district, and the area is bounded by the Raccoon River to the south and the Des Moines river to the east. Renters can easily access 18th and 15th streets on the west, while Center Street is on the north. Downtown Des Moines is divided into five subdistricts and is known for its gorgeous skyline that attracts young professionals and businesses. It also has a unique skywalk system, especially at the center of the district, and is one of the safest areas to live in the city.
Furthermore, Des Moines Public Schools provides a wide range of schools in the downtown area, the most popular being Downtown School. Des Moines Area Community College also has a campus downtown, and there are a number of other colleges in the area, too.
Renters in downtown Des Moines experience an urban feel, and most of the renters are young professionals. Among the five subdistricts in the neighborhood, the Historic East Village is the best place to rent an apartment as it's a walkable area and close to bars, clubs, restaurants, retail destinations and local stores. Renters also enjoy living in Western Gateway, which offers close proximity to corporate headquarters and the Court Avenue District, which is known for its historic buildings. Many of the apartments for rent in downtown Des Moines feature a mix of Chicago-style, mid-rise buildings and modern classics. Renters usually look for single and multifamily homes; townhomes; and condos. Notably, renters must receive a 30-day notice for a rent increase and 30 days for eviction. Renters must also make a written notice for repairs to the landlord, and landlords cannot evict renters without probable cause.
In total, Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA has 5,503 residents, 2,771 women and 2,732 men, per U.S. Census recent estimates. Statistics show that the median age of Downtown Des Moines’s population is 28.
Downtown Des Moines offers its renters a rich musical, art and cultural scene. There are also a number of entertainment venues, like the Des Moines Performance Arts Civic Center and Western Gateway Park, which organizes arts, music and food festivals yearly. Renters also visit the World Food and Music Festival Downtown, and there are even different green spaces for renters downtown, like Meredith Trail and Principal Riverwalk. Most of the offices and retail stores are located in the downtown core, while Court Avenue District is home to the Farmers' Market, which features more than 300 vendors. Meanwhile, the MLK River Park and Uptown Center are the top shopping malls in downtown Des Moines, and renters have access to department, vintage and antique stores.
There is a total of 3,926 households in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA. Of these, 83 have children and 3,842 are without children. Per Census Bureau’s most current estimates, 452 family households and 3,474 non-family households live in this area. The size of a household in Downtown Des Moines is 0.95 people, on average. The median household annual income in Downtown Des Moines equals $57,974, and the monthly housing costs equal $1,206.
Renters with a car can commute in and around downtown Des Moines from Interstate 235 and other major thoroughfares. The neighborhood is walkable and bikeable, and there's public transportation for renters without a car. Its walkability is improved by the network of skywalks that connect buildings and sidewalks together, thereby making it easy for renters to commute. Alternatively, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit provides transportation to the neighborhood, including the Central Station and D-Line Shuttle. There are also several routes for commuting through downtown Des Moines, as well as a wide range of taxi and rideshare services in the neighborhood. Finally, the Des Moines Airport is the closest to downtown, about five miles away.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2% of the population in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA have no high school education, 14% went to high-school, and 15% have partially completed college. Moreover, 5% of the population hold an Associate Degree, 46% hold a Bachelor Degree, and 18% hold a Graduate Degree.
RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you're interested in. Browse Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA apartments with rents starting from $625 and submit your rental application today!
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