Rents are 5% 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 $1,131 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: August 17, 2026
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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 $964 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,131, reflecting a 17.3% 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
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Can you afford rent in Des Moines on your salary?
At $1,131/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: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Des Moines is $1,131/mo as of August 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 1.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Des Moines residents rent vs. own?
How does Des Moines rent compare to the national average?
At $1,131/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?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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