3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Iowa as of October 2026. That's +38% higher than the citywide median of $1,129 and +27% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Fort Dodge | $1,160 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 4 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $1,290 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 7 | Urbandale | $1,307 |
| 8 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 9 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 10 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 11 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 12 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 13 | Indianola | $1,420 |
| 14 | Le Claire | $1,440 |
| 15 | Cedar Rapids | $1,458 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 9 | Tiffin | $1,650 |
| 10 | Iowa City | $1,623 |
| 11 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 13 | Ames | $1,580 |
| 14 | Des Moines (this page) | $1,553 |
| 15 | Coralville | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,890 | +$337 (+22%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 9.1 mi | $1,307 | $-246 (-16%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 9.5 mi | $1,940 | +$387 (+25%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,775 | +$222 (+14%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 10.3 mi | $1,700 | +$147 (+9%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 10.7 mi | $1,690 | +$137 (+9%) |
| Altoona, IA | 12.7 mi | $1,730 | +$177 (+11%) |
| Grimes, IA | 13.6 mi | $1,580 | +$27 (+2%) |
| Waukee, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,870 | +$317 (+20%) |
| Indianola, IA | 18.3 mi | $1,420 | $-133 (-9%) |
| Ames, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,580 | +$27 (+2%) |
| Boone, IA | 37.3 mi | $1,320 | $-233 (-15%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Iowa is $1,553 per month. This is +38% higher than the citywide median of $1,129.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,120 ($5,177/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Des Moines's 3-bedroom median of $1,553 is +27% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 19th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Des Moines rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Des Moines ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Urbandale ($1,307), Indianola ($1,420), Boone ($1,320).