3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in West Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in West Des Moines, Iowa as of October 2026. That's +31% higher than the citywide median of $1,353 and +17% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 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 (this page) | $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 | $1,553 |
| 15 | Coralville | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than West Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 4.7 mi | $1,307 | $-468 (-26%) |
| Waukee, IA | 7.4 mi | $1,870 | +$95 (+5%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,690 | $-85 (-5%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $1,553 | $-222 (-13%) |
| Johnston, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,890 | +$115 (+6%) |
| Grimes, IA | 9.9 mi | $1,580 | $-195 (-11%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 16.5 mi | $1,940 | +$165 (+9%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 19.7 mi | $1,700 | $-75 (-4%) |
| Indianola, IA | 20.3 mi | $1,420 | $-355 (-20%) |
| Altoona, IA | 22.3 mi | $1,730 | $-45 (-3%) |
| Ames, IA | 34.1 mi | $1,580 | $-195 (-11%) |
| Boone, IA | 36.7 mi | $1,320 | $-455 (-26%) |
3-Bedroom rent in West Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in West Des Moines?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in West Des Moines, Iowa is $1,775 per month. This is +31% higher than the citywide median of $1,353.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in West Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $71,000 ($5,917/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is West Des Moines expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
West Des Moines's 3-bedroom median of $1,775 is +17% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 31th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does West Des Moines rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, West Des Moines ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near West Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Urbandale ($1,307), Norwalk ($1,690), Des Moines ($1,553).