1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +14% lower than the citywide median of $1,131 and +30% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Des Moines
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Des Moines
Compare Des Moines's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Clinton | $720 |
| 4 | Marion | $720 |
| 5 | Boone | $730 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 8 | Waterloo | $740 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $750 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 11 | Davenport | $822 |
| 12 | Burlington | $830 |
| 13 | Adel | $840 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 15 | Sioux City | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 13 | Des Moines (this page) | $970 |
| 14 | Iowa City | $967 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs | $920 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,180 | +$210 (+22%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 9.1 mi | $1,110 | +$140 (+14%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 9.5 mi | $1,210 | +$240 (+25%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,110 | +$140 (+14%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 10.3 mi | $1,060 | +$90 (+9%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 10.7 mi | $1,050 | +$80 (+8%) |
| Altoona, IA | 12.7 mi | $1,080 | +$110 (+11%) |
| Grimes, IA | 13.6 mi | $990 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Waukee, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,160 | +$190 (+20%) |
| Indianola, IA | 18.3 mi | $890 | $-80 (-8%) |
| Adel, IA | 28 mi | $840 | $-130 (-13%) |
| Ames, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,015 | +$45 (+5%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Iowa is $970 per month. This is +14% below the citywide median of $1,131.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $38,800 ($3,233/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Des Moines's 1-bedroom median of $970 is +30% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 18th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Des Moines rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Des Moines ranks #21 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Indianola ($890), Adel ($840).