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ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50266

Pop. 37,523·Dallas County·14th most expensive ZIP in Iowa
Median rent (all units)
$1,380/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.8%
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
-$585
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 50266 · $1,380
More affordable than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,280
1 BR
$1,340
2 BR
$1,590
3 BR
$2,160
4 BR+
$2,220
Research median
$1,590/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
$16,560/yr
At $1,380/mo median
Location
StateIA
CountyDallas County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 2.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.8% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50266 (West Des Moines, IA) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 58.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,523
Median income
$87,025
Median age
34.9
Renters
50.2%
Age distribution
20.1%
30.1%
25.5%
13.5%
Under 1820.1%
18–3430.1%
35–5425.5%
55–6410.7%
65+13.5%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
80.4%
White80.4%
Black5.3%
Hispanic4.9%
Asian7.4%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
13.4%
25%
58.2%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma13.4%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+58.2%
Housing tenure
49.8%
50.2%
Owner49.8%
Renter50.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 50266 in West Des Moines, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,113 → $1,380
up 24.0%
Income
$79,463 → $87,025
up 9.5%
Population
35,088 → 37,523
up 6.9%
Renter share
47.4% → 50.2%
+2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
58.2% → 58.2%
+0.0 pts
Median age
34 → 34.9
+0.9 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 50266 in West Des Moines, IA stood at $1,113 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,380, reflecting a 24.0% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $79,463 to $87,025 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.5% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 6.9% since 2021, moving from about 35,088 residents to roughly 37,523. Renters now make up 50.2% of households, compared with 47.4% five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 50266 in West Des Moines, IA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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About renting in ZIP 50266

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 50266 covers West Des Moines, IA. The median rent here is $1,380/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,340/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,590/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($87,025/yr), ZIP 50266 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 50266?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 50266 (West Des Moines, IA) is $1,380. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 50266 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 50266's median rent of $1,380/mo is $585 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 50266 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50266 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Iowa, ranking #14 out of 55 ZIPs tracked at $1,380/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50266?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,380/mo in ZIP 50266. The local median household income is $87,025/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50266?

Rent in ZIP 50266 has increased 2.8% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 50266 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 50266 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,380/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($87,025/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 50266 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 50266 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.2% of ZIP 50266 households are renters, while 49.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 50266 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 50266 compare to the rest of West Des Moines?

ZIP 50266 is pricier than West Des Moines as a whole. At $1,380/mo, it's $11 above the West Des Moines citywide median of $1,369/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 50266 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 50266 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,380/mo, rent takes ~19% of ZIP 50266's median household income ($87,025/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 50266 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
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Public schools near ZIP 50266 (West Des Moines, IA)

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