4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +38% higher than the citywide median of $1,131 and +38% below the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,250 |
| 2 | Marshalltown | $1,260 |
| 3 | Newton | $1,290 |
| 4 | Boone | $1,330 |
| 5 | Adel | $1,360 |
| 6 | Clinton | $1,380 |
| 7 | Indianola | $1,430 |
| 8 | Sioux City | $1,430 |
| 9 | Burlington | $1,450 |
| 10 | Pella | $1,470 |
| 11 | Fort Dodge | $1,480 |
| 12 | Des Moines (this page) | $1,559 |
| 13 | Davenport | $1,562 |
| 14 | Marion | $1,580 |
| 15 | Grimes | $1,590 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Liberty | $2,150 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $1,950 |
| 3 | Ankeny | $1,945 |
| 4 | Johnston | $1,900 |
| 5 | Ames | $1,890 |
| 6 | Cedar Falls | $1,880 |
| 7 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 8 | Bettendorf | $1,860 |
| 9 | Coralville | $1,800 |
| 10 | Urbandale | $1,790 |
| 11 | West Des Moines | $1,785 |
| 12 | Cedar Rapids | $1,745 |
| 13 | Altoona | $1,740 |
| 14 | Pleasant Hill | $1,710 |
| 15 | Norwalk | $1,700 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,900 | +$341 (+22%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 9.1 mi | $1,790 | +$231 (+15%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 9.5 mi | $1,945 | +$386 (+25%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,785 | +$226 (+14%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 10.3 mi | $1,710 | +$151 (+10%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 10.7 mi | $1,700 | +$141 (+9%) |
| Altoona, IA | 12.7 mi | $1,740 | +$181 (+12%) |
| Grimes, IA | 13.6 mi | $1,590 | +$31 (+2%) |
| Waukee, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,870 | +$311 (+20%) |
| Indianola, IA | 18.3 mi | $1,430 | $-129 (-8%) |
| Adel, IA | 28 mi | $1,360 | $-199 (-13%) |
| Ames, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,890 | +$331 (+21%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of August 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Iowa is $1,559 per month. This is +38% higher than the citywide median of $1,131.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,360 ($5,197/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Des Moines's 4+ bedroom median of $1,559 is +38% below the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522. It ranks in the 9th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Des Moines rank for 4+ bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 4+ bedroom data, Des Moines ranks #12 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Indianola ($1,430), Adel ($1,360).