What is the average apartment size in Des Moines?

The average size for a Des Moines, IA apartment is 773 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 Jan / 2026, the average rent in Des Moines is $1,096 per month, a 2.61% increase from last years average of $1,068.

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

In Des Moines, studios rent for $884 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,028 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $1,164 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $1,568 per month

What is the average apartment size in Des Moines?

The typical apartment in Des Moines offers about 773 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 467 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 655 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 918 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,203 sq. ft.

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines include Fort Des Moines ($823/month), South Park ($834/month), and South Des Moines ($891/month), all below the citywide average of $1,096.

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

The most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines are McKinley School - Columbus Park ($1,221/month), Historic East Village ($1,312/month), and Downtown Des Moines ($1,329/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 55% 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: February 21, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Des Moines is $1,096, a 2.61% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,068.

Studio Apartments at $884 offer the most budget-friendly option with 467 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 655 square feet for $1,028, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-beedroom units at $1,164 offer 918 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,203 sq ft) for $1,568, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Des Moines, IA

Last updated: February 21, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$1,096	773 sq. ft.
Studio	$884	467 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,028	655 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$1,164	918 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$1,568	1,203 sq. ft.

Des Moines, IA rent trends

Rental prices in Des Moines, IA have increased by 2.61% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,068 to $1,096.

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

The largest share of rentals in Des Moines, IA (55%) 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?

35,631 or 40% of the households in Des Moines, IA are renter-occupied while 54,454 or 60% are owner-occupied.

Most affordable neighborhoods in Des Moines?

Fort Des Moines $823/month

South Park $834/month

South Des Moines $891/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,096/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Des Moines?

McKinley School - Columbus Park $1,221/month

Historic East Village $1,312/month

Downtown Des Moines $1,329/month

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

Average Rent in Des Moines, IA By Neighborhood

Neighborhood	Average Rent
Downtown Des Moines	$1,329
Historic East Village	$1,312
McKinley School - Columbus Park	$1,221
North of Grand	$1,180
Woodland Heights	$1,135
Sherman Hill	$1,088
Drake	$1,020
River Woods	$992
Douglas Acres	$973
Magnolia Park	$948
Prospect Park	$924
Meredith	$896
Southwestern Hills	$891
Pioneer Park	$891
South Des Moines	$891
South Park	$834
Fort Des Moines	$823

Des Moines | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Douglas Acres is 27% lower than in Downtown Des Moines

$973

Douglas Acres rent is 11% lower than Des Moines average

Average Rent $973

$1,329

Downtown Des Moines rent is 21% higher than Des Moines average

Average Rent $1,329

How Des Moines Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Des Moines	$1,096
Cedar Rapids	$1,073
Davenport	$992
West Des Moines	$1,228
Waukee	$1,404
Ankeny	$1,361
Council Bluffs	$1,245
Iowa City	$1,497
Ames	$1,370
Bettendorf	$1,316
Marion	$838
Urbandale, IA	$1,006
Johnston, IA	$1,353
Grimes, IA	$1,282
Norwalk	$1,172
Altoona, IA	$1,271
Indianola, IA	$913
Windsor Heights, IA	$1,390
Pleasant Hill, IA	$974

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.