Des Moines, IA

City

Rent in Des Moines

Median Gross Rent

$1,090

Rent-to-Income Ratio

29.6%

Renter Share

39.5%

Median Renter Income

$45,663

Avg Household Size

Median Rent by Bedrooms

Median monthly rent by number of bedrooms. Shows how rent scales with unit size in the area.

No Bedroom: $878
1 Bedroom: $894
2 Bedrooms: $1,134
3 Bedrooms: $1,414
4 Bedrooms: $1,490
5+ Bedrooms: $1,884

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources

Gross Rent Distribution

How monthly rents are spread across the area. Helps you understand the typical rent range and where most units fall.

Under $1,000: 39.5%
$1,000-$1,500: 40.0%
$1,500-$2,000: 14.4%
$2,000-$2,500: 2.9%
$2,500+: 0.7%
No Cash Rent: 2.6%

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources

Rent Burden

Share of renters spending a given portion of their income on rent. Spending 30%+ is considered cost-burdened by HUD standards.

Under 20% (comfortable): 23.1%
20-30% (moderate): 25.7%
30-50% (cost-burdened): 25.5%
50%+ (severely cost-burdened): 21.1%
Not Computed: 4.5%

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources

Renters vs. Owners Median Income

Compares the median income of renter households to owner households in the same area.

Owner Households: $84,587
Renter Households: $45,663

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources

Contract Rent Distribution

Monthly rent before utilities. Compare with Gross Rent to estimate typical utility costs in the area.

Under $1,000: 57.2%
$1,000-$1,500: 30.8%
$1,500-$2,000: 7.8%
$2,000-$2,500: 1.2%
$2,500+: 0.4%
No Cash Rent: 2.6%

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources

Nearby Neighborhoods in Des Moines

Neighborhood

Polk, IA

McKinley School/Columbus Park / Indianola Hills

Capitol View South / Capitol East

Downtown / Court District

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024·Sources