Studio Apartment Rent in West Des Moines, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in West Des Moines, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $1,369 and +19% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $663 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 5 | Davenport | $698 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 8 | Newton | $710 |
| 9 | Boone | $720 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 12 | Burlington | $750 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
| 15 | Coralville | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines (this page) | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $853 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than West Des Moines.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 4.7 mi | $1,045 | +$5 (0%) |
| Waukee, IA | 7.4 mi | $1,090 | +$50 (+5%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 8.6 mi | $990 | $-50 (-5%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.6 mi | $909 | $-131 (-13%) |
| Johnston, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,110 | +$70 (+7%) |
| Grimes, IA | 9.9 mi | $930 | $-110 (-11%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 16.5 mi | $1,135 | +$95 (+9%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 19.7 mi | $1,000 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Indianola, IA | 20.3 mi | $830 | $-210 (-20%) |
| Altoona, IA | 22.3 mi | $1,010 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Ames, IA | 34.1 mi | $935 | $-105 (-10%) |
| Boone, IA | 36.7 mi | $720 | $-320 (-31%) |
Studio rent in West Des Moines — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in West Des Moines?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in West Des Moines, Iowa is $1,040 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $1,369.
What income do you need to afford a studio in West Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,600 ($3,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is West Des Moines expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
West Des Moines's studio median of $1,040 is +19% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 31th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does West Des Moines rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, West Des Moines ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near West Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Norwalk ($990), Des Moines ($909), Grimes ($930).