ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50317

Part of Des Moines, IA

Pop. 36,548·Polk County·27th most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,252/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.2%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

-$680

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 50317 · $1,252

More affordable than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$970

1 BR

$1,010

2 BR

$1,200

3 BR

$1,630

4 BR+

$1,680

Research median

$1,200/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 50317 is 0.2% below its high of $1,254 in June 2026, at $1,252 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 50317 changed +1.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($65,617) is $1,640 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,630); a 4-bedroom is $1,680.

Rank in Des Moines

7th cheapest of 8 ZIP codes in Des Moines.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 50314, 4 miles away, rents for 14% less ($1,082/mo), about $2,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 50317. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,024/yr

At $1,252/mo median

Location

CityDes Moines

StateIA

CountyPolk County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.2% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50317 (Des Moines, IA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

36,548

Median income

$65,617

Median age

37.2

Renters

27.5%

Age distribution

26.9%

21.4%

24%

13.1%

14.6%

Under 1826.9%

18–3421.4%

35–5424%

55–6413.1%

65+14.6%

Gender

52.1%

47.9%

Male52.1%

Female47.9%

Race & ethnicity

65.6%

19.3%

White65.6%

Black8.4%

Hispanic19.3%

Asian3.6%

Other3.1%

Education (25+)

13.3%

39.6%

31.5%

15.6%

No HS diploma13.3%

HS diploma39.6%

Some college31.5%

Bachelor's+15.6%

Housing tenure

72.5%

27.5%

Owner72.5%

Renter27.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 50317 in Des Moines, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,101 → $1,252

up 13.7%

Income

$58,672 → $65,617

up 11.8%

Population

36,051 → 36,548

up 1.4%

Renter share

29.4% → 27.5%

-1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

16% → 15.6%

-0.4 pts

Median age

35.9 → 37.2

+1.3 yrs

Rent in ZIP 50317 in Des Moines, IA has climbed 13.7% since 2023, going from about $1,101 per month to roughly $1,252 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 50317 in Des Moines, IA now reports about $65,617, up from $58,672 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 36,051 to 36,548 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. About 27.5% of households rent today, against 29.4% in 2021. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 50317 in Des Moines, IA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 50317

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 50317 covers Des Moines, IA. The median rent here is $1,252/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,010/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,200/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($65,617/yr), ZIP 50317 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50317?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (about $24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,252/mo in ZIP 50317. The local median household income is $65,617/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50317?

Rent in ZIP 50317 has risen 1.2% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.2% below its high of $1,254 in June 2026.

How does ZIP 50317 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50317 is in the middle among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #27 of 54 at $1,252/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 50317 changed +1.2%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.