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ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50309

Pop. 10,110·Polk County·26th most expensive ZIP in Iowa
Median rent (all units)
$1,242/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.4%
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
-$723
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 50309 · $1,242
More affordable than 90% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,110
1 BR
$1,150
2 BR
$1,370
3 BR
$1,860
4 BR+
$1,910
Research median
$1,370/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
$14,904/yr
At $1,242/mo median
Location
StateIA
CountyPolk County
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 1.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.4% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50309 (Des Moines, IA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 61.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,110
Median income
$56,777
Median age
28.4
Renters
89.4%
Age distribution
62.7%
15.9%
Under 186.5%
18–3462.7%
35–5415.9%
55–648.3%
65+6.6%
Gender
52%
48%
Male52%
Female48%
Race & ethnicity
66.6%
17%
White66.6%
Black17%
Hispanic8.9%
Asian3.7%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
12.8%
19.1%
61.5%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma12.8%
Some college19.1%
Bachelor's+61.5%
Housing tenure
89.4%
Owner10.6%
Renter89.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 50309 in Des Moines, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,198 → $1,242
up 3.7%
Income
$51,241 → $56,777
up 10.8%
Population
9,117 → 10,110
up 10.9%
Renter share
88.2% → 89.4%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
60.9% → 61.5%
+0.6 pts
Median age
30.2 → 28.4
-1.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 50309 in Des Moines, IA has climbed from $1,198 to $1,242, a 3.7% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $56,777 today, compared with $51,241 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 10.9% since 2021, moving from about 9,117 residents to roughly 10,110. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 50309

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 50309 covers Des Moines, IA. The median rent here is $1,242/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,150/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,370/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($56,777/yr), ZIP 50309 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 50309?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 50309 (Des Moines, IA) is $1,242. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 50309 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 50309's median rent of $1,242/mo is $723 (37%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 50309 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50309 falls in the middle range for Iowa, ranking #26 out of 55 ZIPs at $1,242/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50309?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,242/mo in ZIP 50309. The local median household income is $56,777/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50309?

Rent in ZIP 50309 has decreased 1.4% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 50309 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 50309 is considered affordable for renters. At $1,242/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($56,777/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 50309 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 50309 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 89.4% of ZIP 50309 households are renters, while 10.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 50309 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 50309 compare to the rest of Des Moines?

ZIP 50309 is pricier than Des Moines as a whole. At $1,242/mo, it's $121 above the Des Moines citywide median of $1,121/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 50309 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 50309 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,242/mo, rent takes ~26% of ZIP 50309's median household income ($56,777/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 50309 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
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Schools nearby

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