What is the average apartment size in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA?

The average size for a Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA apartment is 811 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 Downtown Des Moines?

As of Jan / 2026, the average rent in Downtown Des Moines is $1,329 per month, a 3.78% increase from last years average of $1,281.

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

In Downtown Des Moines, studios rent for $934 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,186 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $1,689 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $2,322 per month

What is the average apartment size in Downtown Des Moines?

The typical apartment in Downtown Des Moines offers about 811 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Downtown Des Moines?

Studio apartments in Downtown Des Moines average 498 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 705 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 1,091 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,518 sq. ft.

Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Rental Market Trends

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

The typical rent budget in Downtown Des Moines ranges from $1,001 to $1,500 per month, with 51% of rentals in this range.

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

In Downtown Des Moines, 88% of households rent while 12% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: February 24, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Downtown Des Moines is $1,329, a 3.78% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,281.

Studio Apartments at $934 offer the most budget-friendly option with 498 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 705 square feet for $1,186, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-beedroom units at $1,689 offer 1,091 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,518 sq ft) for $2,322, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

Last updated: February 24, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$1,329	811 sq. ft.
Studio	$934	498 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,186	705 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$1,689	1,091 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$2,322	1,518 sq. ft.

Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA rent trends

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.

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

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.

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

3,466 or 88% of the households in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA are renter-occupied while 460 or 12% are owner-occupied.

Most affordable neighborhoods in Downtown 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 Downtown 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 Downtown Des Moines is 37% higher than in Douglas Acres

$1,329

Downtown Des Moines rent is the same as Des Moines average

Average Rent $1,329

$973

Douglas Acres rent is 27% lower than Des Moines average

Average Rent $973

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 Downtown 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.