Des Moines serves as Iowa's capital and sits where Interstates 35 and 80 meet, making it a central Midwest hub with over 216,000 residents. The city anchors the insurance industry nationwide, hosting headquarters for Principal Financial Group and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you're searching for apartments for rent in Des Moines, you'll discover budget-friendly options-one-bedroom units average $987 monthly while two-bedrooms run about $1,097, significantly less than similar metro areas across the country.
Renting in Des Moines means choosing from established neighborhoods like East Village, where historic buildings house local restaurants and shops, or areas surrounding Drake University that draw diverse residents. Downtown features a four-mile climate-controlled skywalk connecting buildings throughout the year, plus 76 city parks including Gray's Lake Park with its popular 1.9-mile walking trail. Des Moines Area Regional Transit runs buses across the metro, and most commutes take about 20 minutes. Downtown apartment communities put you within walking distance of the Des Moines Art Center, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the Downtown Farmers' Market-one of the Midwest's largest open-air markets.
Data provided by GreatSchools.org 2025 © 2025. All rights reserved.
The average rent in Des Moines, IA is $994.
The average rent for a studio apartment in Des Moines, IA is $835.
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA is $994.
The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA is $1,099.
The average rent for a 3 bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA is $1,471.
The average rent for a 4 bedroom apartment in Des Moines, IA is $1,468.
Submitting Request
Apartment Finder utilizes the industry's largest and most complete database of real-time rents and availabilities to help you find an amazing deal on your next rental.
Apartment communities change their rental rates often - sometimes multiple times a day. We track the changes and keep you up to date when a rental rate decreases.
"Best value" units are located in buildings rated three stars or higher. We label apartment rentals that are priced significantly less than similar high-quality units nearby.
Apartment communities regularly advertise deals for new residents. Whether it's a move-in special or a free tv, we locate the rentals that offer a little something extra when you sign your lease.
Note: Based on community-supplied data and independent market research. Subject to change without notice.