Rents are 4% below what Des Moines's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,129 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
January. Asking rents in Des Moines usually run 1.3% below trend in January and 1.3% above it in July, about $29 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Des Moines is 0.4% below its high of $1,133 in May 2026, at $1,129 as of September 2026.
Rent in Des Moines changed +1.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Iowa cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.5%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Des Moines rose 20.8% while median household income rose 23.2% ($53,525 to $65,932). Income kept ahead of rent.
Rent in Des Moines is 22.5% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
30% of the median household income ($65,932) is $1,648 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,559).
The priciest of 8 ZIP codes in Des Moines, 50309 ($1,261/mo), costs 38% more than the cheapest, 50310 ($913/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Des Moines. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Des Moines, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 29.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Des Moines, IA has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Des Moines, IA stood at $959 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,129, reflecting a 17.7% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $58,444 to $65,932 across the same window, up 12.8% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Des Moines, IA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Des Moines
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Des Moines on your salary?
At $1,129/mo, how Des Moines rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Des Moines rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Des Moines. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Des Moines
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Des Moines is $1,129/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $909/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,158/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,553/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($65,932/yr), Des Moines ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Des Moines?
Is rent going up or down in Des Moines?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Des Moines?
Has rent outpaced income in Des Moines?
Which Des Moines neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Des Moines rent compare to other cities in Iowa?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Des Moines?
At $1,129/mo, rent takes ~21% of Des Moines's median household income ($65,932/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Des Moines.
No discussions yet.