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ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50265

Pop. 33,488·Polk County·18th most expensive ZIP in Iowa
Median rent (all units)
$1,326/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.4%
vs US Median
-$639
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 50265 · $1,326
More affordable than 85% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,020
1 BR
$1,070
2 BR
$1,270
3 BR
$1,730
4 BR+
$1,770
Research median
$1,270/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,912/yr
At $1,326/mo median
Location
StateIA
CountyPolk County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.7% YoY, +1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50265 (West Des Moines, IA) is majority owner-occupied, 51.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
33,488
Median income
$85,915
Median age
37.4
Renters
33.6%
Age distribution
22%
24.5%
24%
12.5%
16.9%
Under 1822%
18–3424.5%
35–5424%
55–6412.5%
65+16.9%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
78.3%
White78.3%
Black4.8%
Hispanic8.2%
Asian5.3%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
17.6%
26.8%
51.5%
No HS diploma4.1%
HS diploma17.6%
Some college26.8%
Bachelor's+51.5%
Housing tenure
66.4%
33.6%
Owner66.4%
Renter33.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 50265 in West Des Moines, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,026 → $1,326
up 29.2%
Income
$73,935 → $85,915
up 16.2%
Population
32,540 → 33,488
up 2.9%
Renter share
34.8% → 33.6%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
48.7% → 51.5%
+2.8 pts
Median age
38.8 → 37.4
-1.4 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 50265 in West Des Moines, IA has climbed by $300 per month, settling near $1,326 after starting the period at $1,026. Household income in the area moved from $73,935 to $85,915 across the same window, up 16.2% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 13.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 32,540 to 33,488 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 48.7% to 51.5%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 50265 in West Des Moines, IA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 50265

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 50265 covers West Des Moines, IA. The median rent here is $1,326/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,070/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,270/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($85,915/yr), ZIP 50265 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 50265?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 50265 (West Des Moines, IA) is $1,326. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 50265 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 50265's median rent of $1,326/mo is $639 (33%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 50265 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50265 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Iowa, ranking #18 out of 55 ZIPs tracked at $1,326/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50265?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,326/mo in ZIP 50265. The local median household income is $85,915/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50265?

Rent in ZIP 50265 has increased 10.7% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 50265 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 50265 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,326/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($85,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 50265 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 50265 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.6% of ZIP 50265 households are renters, while 66.4% are owner-occupied. ZIP 50265 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 50265 compare to the rest of West Des Moines?

ZIP 50265 is more affordable than West Des Moines overall. At $1,326/mo, it's $43 below the West Des Moines citywide median of $1,369/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 50265 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 50265 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,326/mo, rent takes ~19% of ZIP 50265's median household income ($85,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 50265 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
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Public schools near ZIP 50265 (West Des Moines, IA)

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