1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Washington as of July 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $2,013 and +47% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-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 1-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 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $737 |
| 2 | Pullman | $880 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | $890 |
| 4 | Port Angeles | $890 |
| 5 | Moses Lake | $940 |
| 6 | Chehalis | $980 |
| 7 | Clarkston | $980 |
| 8 | Shelton | $980 |
| 9 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 10 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 11 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 12 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 13 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 14 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 15 | Longview | $1,150 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Washington
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $3,335 |
| 2 | Snoqualmie | $3,130 |
| 3 | Issaquah | $2,880 |
| 4 | Maple Valley | $2,680 |
| 5 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 6 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 7 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 8 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 9 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 10 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 11 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 12 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
| 13 | Bellevue | $2,205 |
| 14 | Kenmore | $2,190 |
| 15 | Monroe | $2,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Des Moines.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Des Moines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burien, WA | 5.5 mi | $1,493 | $-557 (-27%) |
| Seatac, WA | 5.7 mi | $1,550 | $-500 (-24%) |
| Federal Way, WA | 6 mi | $1,526 | $-524 (-26%) |
| Tukwila, WA | 6.4 mi | $1,784 | $-266 (-13%) |
| Kent, WA | 6.8 mi | $1,560 | $-490 (-24%) |
| Auburn, WA | 7.7 mi | $1,541 | $-509 (-25%) |
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA | 8.9 mi | $1,580 | $-470 (-23%) |
| Milton, WA | 9.6 mi | $2,050 | — |
| Pacific, WA | 10 mi | $1,331 | $-719 (-35%) |
| Fife, WA | 11.1 mi | $1,850 | $-200 (-10%) |
| Edgewood, WA | 11.2 mi | $1,733 | $-317 (-15%) |
| Renton, WA | 11.6 mi | $1,728 | $-322 (-16%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Washington is $2,050 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $2,013.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Des Moines?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $82,000 ($6,833/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Moines expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Des Moines's 1-bedroom median of $2,050 is +47% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 84th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Des Moines rank for 1-bedroom rent in Washington?
Among the 105 cities in Washington with 1-bedroom data, Des Moines ranks #79 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Burien ($1,493), Seatac ($1,550), Federal Way ($1,526).