Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA (168 Rentals)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

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.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

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Real 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.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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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.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #15

Among cities in Iowa for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com is proud to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in areas across the United States including Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury housing options, family-friendliness, raising pets, transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Family-Friendly Rating

When renting for a family with little ones, location matters. Amongst all of the submarkets in Des Moines, this neighborhood is one of the finest neighborhoods for families, with a score of 4.0 out of 4. Family Friendly ratings are based on community features and environments that help parents and children to thrive. This includes features like parks, pet amenities, playgrounds, picnic areas, recreation rooms, walking and biking trails, and access to highly-rated education.

Outdoors Rating

We think living with parks, paths, and trails is critically important. Downtown Des Moines is a highly-rated residential area for parks and green spaces, with a score of 4.0 out of 4.

Luxury Living Rating

This submarket is one of our favorite luxury submarkets in town, with a score of 4.0 out of 4. Luxury Lifestyle Scoring is based on having high-end community amenities like racquetball and tennis courts, luxury pools, concierge services, park views, easy access to green space, and nice home amenities like granite or quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Other luxury items often include hardwood floors and fireplaces, sports like tennis and raquetball, and a full-time security staff or doorman.

Pet Friendly Rating

Are there furry friends in your life? this part of Des Moines ranks highly for raising pets (dogs and cats), with a score of 4.0 out of 4.

Frequently Asked Questions about Downtown Des Moines

What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in the Downtown Des Moines area of Des Moines, IA?

As of today, September 22, 2026, there are currently 168 available Downtown Des Moines apartments priced from $630 to $5,581, with an average monthly rent of $1,356.

How much are Studio apartments in Downtown Des Moines?

There are currently 92 Studio Apartments in Downtown Des Moines with rent ranges from $630 to $1,591 with an average price of $955.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Downtown Des Moines Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Downtown Des Moines ranges from $799 to $5,581 with an average monthly rent of $1,266.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Downtown Des Moines cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Downtown Des Moines range from $845 to $2,900. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $1,648.

How expensive are Downtown Des Moines Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 23 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Downtown Des Moines on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $1,159 to $2,720 - averaging $2,104 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

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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.

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How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis

Written by: Robin Stewart

Many housing markets throughout America share a common complaint: a lack of affordable rental properties.

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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.