2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,131 and +30% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $880 |
| 2 | Newton | $920 |
| 3 | Boone | $940 |
| 4 | Clinton | $940 |
| 5 | Knoxville | $940 |
| 6 | Marion | $940 |
| 7 | Marshalltown | $950 |
| 8 | Waterloo | $970 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $980 |
| 10 | Adel | $1,010 |
| 11 | Davenport | $1,014 |
| 12 | Cedar Rapids | $1,038 |
| 13 | Indianola | $1,060 |
| 14 | Coralville | $1,070 |
| 15 | Sioux City | $1,080 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,445 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,410 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,390 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,330 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,325 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,290 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,280 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,270 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,260 |
| 10 | Bettendorf | $1,210 |
| 11 | Grimes | $1,180 |
| 12 | Iowa City | $1,160 |
| 13 | Des Moines (this page) | $1,158 |
| 14 | Ames | $1,130 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $1,120 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,410 | +$252 (+22%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 9.1 mi | $1,330 | +$172 (+15%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 9.5 mi | $1,445 | +$287 (+25%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,325 | +$167 (+14%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 10.3 mi | $1,270 | +$112 (+10%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 10.7 mi | $1,260 | +$102 (+9%) |
| Altoona, IA | 12.7 mi | $1,290 | +$132 (+11%) |
| Grimes, IA | 13.6 mi | $1,180 | +$22 (+2%) |
| Waukee, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,390 | +$232 (+20%) |
| Indianola, IA | 18.3 mi | $1,060 | $-98 (-8%) |
| Adel, IA | 28 mi | $1,010 | $-148 (-13%) |
| Ames, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,130 | $-28 (-2%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Iowa is $1,158 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,131.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,320 ($3,860/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Des Moines's 2-bedroom median of $1,158 is +30% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 16th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Des Moines rank for 2-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 2-bedroom data, Des Moines ranks #21 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Indianola ($1,060), Adel ($1,010), Ames ($1,130).