Markets › Des Moines
Yearly benchmarkMoves monthlyMoves weeklyNews daily
Des Moines IA
Covers Des Moines and West Des Moines.
Current market read
Landlord’s market
ConditionFirm
The yearly data still reads a landlord's market, but the faster monthly signals are easing.
From public data. The situation now, not a forecast.
Renter Google searchabout 1,600 searches in July 2026 · HousesSee read →
Renter Google Search InterestGoogle · monthly
About 1,600 searches in July 2026, for Des Moines on its own
What renters Google mostHousesSee all →Attention, not a verdict. Google searches for apartments to rent.
Momentum · which way it's movingRENT + JOBS · UPDATED MONTHLY
Cooling
Easing lately, job growth has cooled, as of Aug 2026.
VacancyCENSUS · 2024
Share of rentals sitting empty. Yearly Census backdrop, not what sets the condition.
Asking rentZILLOW · MONTHLY
+1.7%
▲ Year over year
SEP ’24AUG ’26
Census 2024: +3.6% · US avg +5.2%
Median rentCENSUS · 2024
$1,178/mo
Typical rent, 2024 yearly count
In the news · Des MoinesNEWS · DAILY
Latest local coverage, 5 days ago.● softer● neutral● firmer
Across Iowa, historic buildings gain new life as affordable housingMerle Hay Plaza and Apartments Wins Iowa Housing Innovation Competition, Bringing Affordable Senior Housing to Underutilized Mall SpaceRob Sand Tours Affordable Housing Development, Highlights “Affordability for All” PlanView all 5 Des Moines news →Demand vs supplyCENSUS + BLS
Moderate demand
DEMAND
Jobs-0.5%
Migration 2025+3.68/1k
SUPPLY
Permits 2025+119.1%
Vacancy 20246.7%
Rent vs buyFREDDIE MAC · WEEKLY
+$946/mo
Cheaper to rent than buying
rent $1,178 · own $2,124
$1,178RENT
$2,124OWN
Net migrationCENSUS · 2025
+3.68/1k
▲ Net inflow of residents
OUTFLOWINFLOW
Census · BLS · FRED · Zillow · news
For information only. Not investment advice. AI-written summaries can make mistakes.