2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in West Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in West Des Moines, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +3% lower than the citywide median of $1,369 and +20% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in West 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 West Des Moines
Compare West 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 | Knoxville | $940 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $950 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $970 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $980 |
| 9 | Davenport | $1,014 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $1,038 |
| 11 | Indianola | $1,060 |
| 12 | Coralville | $1,070 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $1,080 |
| 14 | Burlington | $1,090 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs | $1,100 |
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 (this page) | $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 | Tiffin | $1,180 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,180 |
| 13 | Iowa City | $1,160 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,158 |
| 15 | Ames | $1,130 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than West Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 4.7 mi | $1,330 | +$5 (0%) |
| Waukee, IA | 7.4 mi | $1,390 | +$65 (+5%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,260 | $-65 (-5%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,158 | $-167 (-13%) |
| Johnston, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,410 | +$85 (+6%) |
| Grimes, IA | 9.9 mi | $1,180 | $-145 (-11%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 16.5 mi | $1,445 | +$120 (+9%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 19.7 mi | $1,270 | $-55 (-4%) |
| Indianola, IA | 20.3 mi | $1,060 | $-265 (-20%) |
| Altoona, IA | 22.3 mi | $1,290 | $-35 (-3%) |
| Ames, IA | 34.1 mi | $1,130 | $-195 (-15%) |
| Boone, IA | 36.7 mi | $940 | $-385 (-29%) |
2-Bedroom rent in West Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in West Des Moines?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in West Des Moines, Iowa is $1,325 per month. This is +3% below the citywide median of $1,369.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in West Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,000 ($4,417/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is West Des Moines expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
West Des Moines's 2-bedroom median of $1,325 is +20% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 28th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does West Des Moines rank for 2-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 2-bedroom data, West Des Moines ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near West Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Norwalk ($1,260), Des Moines ($1,158), Grimes ($1,180).