Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Des Moines

Affordability in Des Moines, IA

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024), the median monthly rent in Des Moines is $1,090 and the median household income is $65,932. About 40% of residents rent their homes, reflecting a sizeable renter community that benefits from income-restricted housing options.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Des Moines Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 706 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Des Moines

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Des Moines rates 93 (Walker's Paradise), a Transit Score of 61 (Good Transit), and a Bike Score of 60. These scores reflect conditions near the city's income-based and HUD-assisted housing locations.

Schools

Des Moines is served by 67 public schools across 7 districts, including 46 elementary, 11 middle, 9 high schools, and 1 other, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for any specific address they are considering.

Cost of Renting in Des Moines

The median household income in Des Moines is $65,932 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The median asking rent citywide is $1,090 per month, according to the same source.

Affordable and income-based housing in Des Moines is rent-restricted by program rules, meaning your rent is typically tied to your income rather than market rates. The 1,833 income-restricted units across 20 HUD-assisted properties in the city offer an alternative for renters who qualify.

• Median household income: $65,932/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Median market rent: $1,090/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
• Share of households that rent: 40% (Census ACS 5-Year)

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 20 affordable housing properties in Des Moines were mapped for flood risk. Only 1 of those 20 properties falls in a high-risk flood zone, meaning the vast majority of available units carry low flood exposure according to flood mapping data.