Rental property in Des Moines, IA
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
6.5%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$220,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Per month
Population
214,133
+0.5% / yr (5y avg)
Estimates based on median market data. Actual returns depend on your specific property. Source: Redfin / Zillow / U.S. Census Bureau, 2026-Q1.
Calculate your rental yield in Des Moines
Pre-filled with Des Moines's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
6.55%
Net Rental Yield
4.13%
Cap Rate
4.13%
Monthly Cash Flow
$756.67
Annual Cash Flow
$9,080.00
Des Moines rental market at a glance
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Des Moines provides solid rental yields of 6.5%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.
Modest population growth of 0.5% per year indicates a stable but slowly growing rental market.
The vacancy rate of 5.5% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.
What type of investment market is Des Moines?
Des Moines is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.
✓ Strengths
- •High gross yield of 6.5% supports strong monthly cash flow
- •Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
- •Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing
! Risks
- •Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
- •Modest population growth limits long-term demand growth
Key Metrics
How does Des Moines compare to nearby cities?
Des Moines vs Minneapolis: 0.5 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | $320,000 | $1,600 | 6% | +0.2% |
| Chicago, IL | $290,000 | $1,600 | 6.6% | -0.5% |
| Omaha, NE | $240,000 | $1,300 | 6.5% | +0.6% |
| Kansas City, MO | $220,000 | $1,250 | 6.8% | +0.5% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $185,000 | $1,100 | 7.1% | -0.4% |
Common questions about investing in Des Moines
Is rental investing profitable in Des Moines?▾
What is the average rental yield in Des Moines?▾
How does Des Moines compare to Minneapolis for investors?▾
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