1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Des Moines, WA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines, Washington as of August 2026. That's +2% lower than the citywide median of $2,084 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 | Shelton | $980 |
| 8 | Ellensburg | $1,010 |
| 9 | Sedro-Woolley | $1,026 |
| 10 | Yakima | $1,040 |
| 11 | Cheney | $1,070 |
| 12 | Spokane | $1,096 |
| 13 | Wenatchee | $1,100 |
| 14 | Longview | $1,150 |
| 15 | Spokane Valley | $1,164 |
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 | Woodinville | $2,600 |
| 6 | Bothell | $2,537 |
| 7 | North Bend | $2,370 |
| 8 | Mukilteo | $2,370 |
| 9 | Covington | $2,370 |
| 10 | Lake Stevens | $2,340 |
| 11 | Bellevue | $2,238 |
| 12 | Edmonds | $2,230 |
| 13 | Dupont | $2,230 |
| 14 | Newcastle | $2,226 |
| 15 | Kenmore | $2,190 |
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 | $1,473 | $-577 (-28%) |
| Seatac, WA | 5.7 mi | $2,050 | — |
| Federal Way, WA | 6 mi | $1,514 | $-536 (-26%) |
| Tukwila, WA | 6.4 mi | $1,784 | $-266 (-13%) |
| Kent, WA | 6.8 mi | $1,557 | $-493 (-24%) |
| Auburn, WA | 7.7 mi | $1,542 | $-508 (-25%) |
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway, WA | 8.9 mi | $1,545 | $-505 (-25%) |
| Milton, WA | 9.6 mi | $2,050 | — |
| Pacific, WA | 10 mi | $1,480 | $-570 (-28%) |
| Fife, WA | 11.1 mi | $1,850 | $-200 (-10%) |
| Edgewood, WA | 11.2 mi | $1,733 | $-317 (-15%) |
| Renton, WA | 11.6 mi | $1,744 | $-306 (-15%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Des Moines — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Des Moines?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Des Moines, Washington is $2,050 per month. This is +2% below the citywide median of $2,084.
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 83th 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 #76 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Des Moines?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Burien ($1,473), Federal Way ($1,514), Tukwila ($1,784).