
Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA (1,326 Rentals)


The Aston East Village

Cityville on 9th

418 East Grand

The Meridian

LINC at Gray's Station

Rowat Lofts Apartments

Wakonda Village Apartments and Manor

3000 Grand Apartments

The Parker
Des Moines's Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about Des Moines and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Joseph Isenberg

High Street Lofts

Slate Age 55 Plus Active Community

Matilda 235 Townhomes

Total Monthly Price
Tempo East Village

The Village at Grays Lake

Vue

District at 6th Apartments

Soll

Nexus at Gray's Landing

Velocity
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

Maxwell

R&T Lofts

Total Monthly Price
Confluence on 3rd Apartments

Fourth And Court

Clemens Building

The Edge @ Grays Landing

The Equitable Building

Windsor Square by Broadmoor

Park Avenue by Broadmoor

The Lyon
How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

The Fleming Building

Imperial Grand Prix

East Village Square

The Village at Westchester

Flux

Randolph Apartments

The Des Moines Building

Ingersoll Square

Metro Lofts

Weston Park Apartments
Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent
Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

Canary Lofts

The Elliott

Franklin Court Apartments

The Pointe on Fleur Apartments

Level

219 E Grand

Total Monthly Price
Southern Horizon by Kading

City Square Lofts

Evergreen Terrace

Vine Street Lofts
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.
Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Des Moines?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Studio Apartments | $966 | $575 | $1,981 |
| Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,201 | $480 | $5,884 |
| Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,331 | $648 | $4,055 |
| Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,725 | $655 | $3,301 |
| Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,331 | $530 | $2,500 |
Browse Top Apartments in Des Moines
Explore Des Moines

Des Moines, IA Local Guide

- Des Moines Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.
Read Article18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Des Moines Overview
It’s likely that you only really hear about Des Moines every four years when the presidential caucuses kick off in this city. But that’s only part of the great culture and history of Des Moines. It’s over 150 years old and in that time has grown to be a Midwestern hub of culture and commerce. If you’re in the insurance industry, Des Moines is the absolute best place to live as it is the home of several large insurance companies. Des Moines isn’t just for insurance people, though, it’s a city that keeps growing, and it’s even been attracting more and more young people. If you’re looking for apartments in Des Moines, this must be an exciting time in your life because Des Moines is a great (not to mention inexpensive) place to live.
What is the history of Des Moines?
Des Moines started out as Fort Des Moines, a settlement created to control local Native American tribes. In 1846, the fort was abandoned and soon reoccupied by settlers. Des Moines became Iowa’s capitol in 1857, but the city didn’t really start to grow until a railroad link helped it explode in both importance and size. By 1880, Des Moines had become the largest city in Iowa and has maintained that status ever since, despite the fact it has suffered several destructive floods.
How is the weather in Des Moines?
The city of Des Moines enjoys typical Midwest weather—cold, snow-filled winters and hot, humid summers. Due to the humidity, afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. It cools down a bit in the fall when you can enjoy the bright foliage, and it cools down even more in the winters, with temperatures dipping below 0°F quite often. Snowfall can be heavy but averages out at about 32 inches per season, the city is no stranger to this kind of weather, though, so it’s well-equipped to handle the snow.
How do I get around town?
If you love to walk, you’ll love Des Moines. With over four miles of enclosed pedestrian routes, it boasts one of the most extensive skywalk systems in the country. But if you’re not a huge walker, there are many other ways for you to get around Des Moines. The city has a public transport system called DART (short for Des Moines Area Regional Transit) that consists of buses that travel within the city, as well as out to the suburbs. You’re also completely able to travel under the power of your own car. And if you’re looking to travel and get out of Des Moines, look no further than the Des Moines International Airport which can take you directly to a number of locations inside the United States.
What is the Des Moines commute like?
There are three interstate highways that can be used to travel into Des Moines. I-235 cuts right through the center of the city, while I-35 and I-80 converge and pass more indirectly through the metropolitan area. The system is very traveler-friendly, as anyone who misses an exit to change interstates at one end of the city will simply end up at the convergence of the same interstates at the other end. The average commute time is quite low at just over 19 minutes.
What are the local media outlets?
The main daily Des Moines newspaper is The Des Moines Register. There are several other popular newspapers that publish weekly. Many television stations serve Des Moines, including CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, and PBS affiliates. The most popular radio station in the area is WHO 1040 am, a news station owned by iHeartMedia.
Why live in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines is a constantly underrated city. It’s not the most talked about city, but it sure has a lot going on! It’s the home of several professional minor league sports teams, including the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. Des Moines is also a smart city. It has an impressive public school system and houses five colleges and universities. Iowa’s work force, including that of Des Moines, ranks as one of the best educated in the country due to its 80% high school graduation rate. Des Moines’ real claim to fame is its importance in the presidential election, many candidates set up campaign offices here due to its position as the site of the first caucuses.
What Des Moines landmarks should I see?
Des Moines is home to a lot of history and culture. The Iowa State Capitol building is a common attraction, as it’s one of only two state capitols that feature five domes. Another significant landmark is the Salisbury House and Gardens, which has a place on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a historic estate built in the 1920s that features 42 rooms, authentic 16th-century English oak, and an impressive collection of international art and other artifacts.
What is there to do around Des Moines?
When you live in apartments in Des Moines, you quickly become attached to its unique city life and all the things it has to keep you busy. Catch a concert or hockey game at the Wells Fargo Arena or enjoy a musical at the Des Moines Civic Center. Get your fill of nature at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and take a look at the exotic animals at the Blank Park Zoo. Des Moines truly has something for everyone.
Any annual festivals or Des Moines events to know?
One of the biggest attractions for Des Moines is the Iowa State Fair, which is perhaps best known for its butter cow and other butter sculptures. Des Moines is also home to the Des Moines Arts Festival every June. For three days, over 200,000 people gather in Western Gateway Park to enjoy visual, performance, musical, and interactive art.
Where are the nearby vacation spots?
The nearby city of Altoona is a great vacation spot. It houses Adventureland Park, an amusement park with over a hundred rides and attractions, and Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. You can also check out historical sites, Sioux City, and the Missouri River on the legendary Lewis and Clark Trail.
Where is the best place to move in Des Moines?
If you’re looking for apartments in Des Moines, odds are you’ll be looking at places in the suburbs, too, which only multiplies your opportunities. Urbandale, Waukee, and West Des Moines are all great suburbs for apartment living. But if you do want to live right in the city, you’ll be happy to hear that housing in the downtown area is growing. East Village is especially nice, and is made up of an interesting mix of historic buildings and hip new restaurants and stores. To match this eclectic blend, the downtown area offers a growing diversity of housing options that are bound to satisfy your needs and interests. But the best thing about living in Des Moines is that the cost of living is far below the nation’s average. Not only will you be living in one of the coolest cities in America, but you’ll also be saving money.
Eager to get a fresh start in a new locale? Well rest easy because finding Des Moines apartments for rent has never been simpler and Des Moines apartment living has never been this fun! Hi, I’m Trey, your Official Des Moines apartment living guide. I’ve assisted hundreds of residents find Des Moines apartments for rent and I’m looking forward to helping you too! As your Des Moines apartment resource I want to make your apartment shopping experience stress-free by showcasing the most apartments in Des Moines, Iowa and providing you with accurate information on each one, updated every single day. So I invite you to explore Des Moines apartments! Of course, Apartment Home Living is about so much more than just helping you find the right space to match your needs - it’s also about helping you love your apartment life! Let’s face it, apartment living is AWESOME! Why get locked into a mortgage for the next three decades, deal with ever-rising property taxes, or risk being married to neighbors whose hobbies include nude sunbathing, loud polka music and questionable ‘lawn art’? Apartment life is all about freedom and fun, and living in Des Moines apartments only adds to the appeal. Attractions, excellent night-life, shopping and dining options can be found in almost every corner of this cultural mecca, all located within a few miles from the doorstep of your Des Moines apartment. Looking for high class amenities to go with the newfound freedom your Des Moines apartment grants? No worries, as most Des Moines rentals offer spacious floor plans, onsite laundry facilities, beautiful and well-maintained swimming pools, and even state-of-the-art fitness areas. Of course, you can always grab a few of your new favorite neighbors and spend a day exploring the area’s natural beauty, because let’s face it - somehow it’s that much more relaxing to lie in the local park’s grassy field knowing you’ll never need a lawn mower again! Remember, just because you aren’t anchored down with a never-ending mortgage and homeowner upkeep headaches doesn’t mean your new apartment isn’t still YOUR place! Get creative with this fresh blank canvas, and take advantage of the artistic freedom your new Des Moines apartment offers by choosing furnishings and décor that truly represents your personality. Heck, this might even be the time to finally shoot for that ‘jungle themed’ bedroom layout you’ve always secretly envisioned (although you might want to skip the spider monkeys). In this day and age, everyone knows saving money matters more than ever. With a large number of apartments in Des Moines to choose from, you’ll be firmly in the economic driving seat when it comes to having a wide variety of lease options, floor plans and convenient services at your fingertips. With all of the money you’ll be saving, odds are good you’ll be able to splurge on tickets to the big game, take that special someone out for a fine dining experience they’ll never forget, or just sleep that much easier at night knowing you’ve got the financial security that Apartment Home Living allows. So what are you waiting for? With so many awesome Des Moines apartments waiting to be discovered, the possibilities are practically endless...which still hasn’t stopped us from compiling some of the best of the best just below! So dive into the multitude of Des Moines apartments for rent and discover just how amazing Apartment Home Living can truly be.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Des Moines, IA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA Area Reviews
Joseph • 4+ years in Des Moines
May 14, 2025Many residents prefer the western suburbs or more distant communities like Indianola, Boone, Ames, or Newton. Certainly those are all viable options.I would never pick Des Moines for its schools, for example. But the city has many fine neighborhoods which are worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions about Des Moines
What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA?
As of today, August 12, 2026, there are currently 1,326 available Des Moines apartments priced from $480 to $5,884, with an average monthly rent of $1,284.
What Des Moines neighborhoods have the most available apartments?
There are 87 neighborhoods in the Des Moines area with available listings as of today. The three neighborhoods with the most options are Outer West Des Moines Urbandale with 829 listings, Carpenter with 699 listings, and Ingleside with 696 listings.
How much are Studio apartments in Des Moines?
There are currently 478 Studio Apartments in Des Moines with rent ranges from $575 to $1,981 with an average price of $966.
What is the current price range for One Bedroom Des Moines Apartments for rent?
Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Des Moines ranges from $480 to $5,884 with an average monthly rent of $1,201.
What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Des Moines cost?
The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Des Moines range from $648 to $4,055. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $1,331.
How expensive are Des Moines Three Bedroom Apartments?
There are currently 225 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Des Moines on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $655 to $3,301 - averaging $1,725 for the location.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

A Local Expert's Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Des Moines, Iowa
Written by: Joseph Isenberg
I'm Joe, the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Des Moines and Central Iowa. My parents moved to Central Iowa in 1967, and my family has been here ever since.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
Written by: Robin Stewart
Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention
Written by: Robin Stewart
There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.