Des Moines, Iowa Short-Term Rental Market
Des Moines STRs need Board approval; September 2026 ADR $145, occupancy 58.9%, revenue $2,438 monthly.
Quick Answer: Des Moines, Iowa is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 59%. average monthly revenue is $2,438. average daily rate is $145. the top operator in Des Moines is Sheryl Richter with 48 listings. market score is 63/100 (grade C).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Des Moines short-term rentals operate under a permit regime that includes discretionary Board of Adjustment approval, so any investor should read the regulatory section before the numbers. Within that framework, the data for September 2026 shows a market that is growing on every headline measure. The average daily rate across all listings was $145, occupancy was 58.9%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $2,438. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 7.4%, ADR is up 5.2%, and revenue is up 8.1%, so the gain is coming from both more booked nights and higher prices rather than from rate increases alone.
The Des Moines area STR market is sizable for a Midwest capital. Tracking shows 1,528 listings, of which 1,331 are entire places and 197 are private rooms, so entire-home inventory makes up about 87.1% of supply. By channel, 834 listings are on Airbnb only, 91 are on Vrbo only, and 603 are listed on both platforms. Bedroom mix skews small: 608 one-bedroom listings, 361 two-bedroom, 275 three-bedroom, 203 four-bedroom, and 80 five-bedroom listings.
Demand has a broad base. The Greater Des Moines region draws roughly 14 million visitors a year, driven by business and convention travel, state government, the Iowa State Fair, youth and amateur sports tournaments, and insurance-industry events. About 80% of visitors arrive by car. The city has a population of 212,421.
Longer-term, 2026 year to date averages 59.3% occupancy, a $151 ADR, and $2,524 in monthly revenue, compared with 57.8%, $143, and $2,350 for full-year 2025. The StaySTRA market score for Des Moines is 63.05 overall, with rental demand scoring 83.75 and investability 74.6, while revenue growth scores lower at 45.44.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 52% |
| Feb | 57% |
| Mar | 59% |
| Apr | 60% |
| May | 62% |
| Jun | 70% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 59% |
| Oct | 59% |
| Nov | 55% |
| Dec | 55% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Des Moines are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Des Moines
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheryl Richter | 48 | 1,237 | ★ 4.14 |
| 2 | Situate Solutions | 44 | 1,426 | ★ 4.42 |
| 3 | Sleepover INC | 38 | 1,394 | ★ 4.49 |
| 4 | Midwest Hospitality+Management Co | 36 | 2,134 | ★ 4.83 |
| 5 | GRN | 21 | 2,646 | ★ 4.84 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Des Moines?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Des Moines are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 54.6% |
| vrbo | 6% |
| both | 39.5% |
Home Value Trends (Des Moines)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Des Moines are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Des Moines — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Des Moines, but the permit process is strict and enforcement is rated strict. Every STR needs a city short-term rental permit or rental certificate, and each application must also be approved by the city’s Board of Adjustment. The Board can deny a permit if it judges that too many STRs already operate in a neighborhood, so density control is a real approval risk.
The annual permit fee is $250 beginning in 2025, and it can be adjusted by City Council resolution. Applicants submit property details, floor plans, proof of ownership, a local 24/7 contact, and a property-maintenance checklist. They must carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance and pass a city inspection. Airbnb and Vrbo listings must show a valid city-issued permit number or the platform may not publish them.
Recent code changes removed the former primary-residence requirement, which was 245 days a year of owner or tenant occupancy. Non-owner-occupied rentals are now allowed, and a property may operate up to 365 days a year. Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required citywide, although some neighborhood (NX) zoning districts still require owner or tenant occupancy with the owner’s written consent.
Generally, one STR is allowed per single-household detached structure, and occupancy limits are tied to the number of bedrooms. Guests pay a combined lodging tax of 12%, made up of the 5% Iowa state hotel and motel tax and the 7% local tax, which Airbnb typically collects and remits. Confirm current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
Des Moines is a volume market with moderate rates, driven by business, government, and event demand rather than resort pricing. At 58.9% occupancy and a $145 ADR in September 2026, with the luxury tier at $256, rates stay modest even at the top of the market.
Relative to its own history, the market is improving. ADR has risen from $85 in 2017 to $151 so far in 2026, and average monthly revenue has risen from $1,294 to $2,524. Occupancy peaked at 66.5% in 2021, fell to 58.2% in 2023, and is 59.3% in 2026.
Entry costs are low compared with many STR markets, with a typical home value of $210,572, which supports the 10.7% gross yield. The tradeoff is the regulatory process and the discretionary Board of Adjustment approval.
The Des Moines area STR market has a large operator base. The top five operators by listings are Sheryl Richter with 48, Situate Solutions with 44, Sleepover INC with 38, Midwest Hospitality+Management Co with 36, and GRN with 21. Midwest Hospitality+Management Co and GRN carry the highest ratings, at 4.834 and 4.838, with 2,134 and 2,646 reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Des Moines, Iowa
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