Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: April 08, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Downtown Des Moines is $1,321, a 0.19% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,319.
Studio Apartments at $906 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 $1,209, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,624 offer 1,091 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,518 sq ft) for $2,589, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,321 | 811 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $906 | 498 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,209 | 705 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,624 | 1,091 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,589 | 1,518 sq. ft. |
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA rent trends
Rental prices in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA have increased by 0.19% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,319 to $1,321.
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?
3,826 or 89% of the households in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA are renter-occupied while 454 or 11% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Downtown Des Moines?
Fort Des Moines $823/month
South Park $829/month
Pioneer Park $843/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,092/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Downtown Des Moines?
McKinley School - Columbus Park $1,222/month
Historic East Village $1,267/month
Downtown Des Moines $1,321/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 | $1,321 |
| Historic East Village | $1,267 |
| McKinley School - Columbus Park | $1,222 |
| Woodland Heights | $1,187 |
| North of Grand | $1,179 |
| Sherman Hill | $1,122 |
| Prospect Park | $1,082 |
| Drake | $1,004 |
| River Woods | $999 |
| Douglas Acres | $982 |
| Southwestern Hills | $912 |
| Meredith | $897 |
| South Des Moines | $884 |
| Magnolia Park | $881 |
| Pioneer Park | $843 |
| South Park | $829 |
| Fort Des Moines | $823 |
Des Moines | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Downtown Des Moines is 35% higher than in Douglas Acres
Downtown Des Moines rent is the same as Des Moines average
Douglas Acres rent is 26% lower than Des Moines average
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.