A growing number of renters leaving Minneapolis, Minnesota are setting their sights on Des Moines, Iowa, according to a new migration study from Apartment List. The report found that 8.9% of Minneapolis renters searching for apartments outside the city are now looking at Des Moines as a relocation destination — highlighting Iowa’s rising appeal among Midwest movers seeking affordability, opportunity, and quality of life.
The findings reinforce a broader migration trend that has increasingly favored smaller, more affordable metro areas across the Midwest. As housing costs remain elevated in larger urban markets like Minneapolis, renters are turning to cities such as Des Moines for lower living expenses, shorter commutes, and strong job growth.
Des Moines has steadily emerged as one of the Midwest’s most attractive destinations for young professionals, remote workers, families, and retirees alike. Compared to Minneapolis, renters relocating to Iowa’s capital can often find significantly lower housing costs while still benefiting from a thriving economy and growing amenities.
The median rent in Des Moines remains substantially more affordable than many major Upper Midwest cities, allowing newcomers to stretch their budgets further. At the same time, Iowa continues to attract employers in finance, insurance, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and technology sectors — helping support a stable employment market for inbound residents.
Apartment List’s migration data is based on apartment search activity from users exploring rental options outside their current metro area. The study offers a real-time look at where renters are considering moves and which cities are gaining traction nationally.
For Des Moines, the influx of interest from Minneapolis renters may reflect changing lifestyle priorities that accelerated over the past several years. Many movers are now prioritizing affordability, homeownership potential, lower congestion, and access to outdoor recreation over living in higher-cost metropolitan areas.
Des Moines continues to score well in several of those categories. The metro offers a nationally recognized downtown, expanding trail systems, growing entertainment districts, and relatively low commute times compared to larger urban centers. Iowa’s lower overall cost of living also remains a major draw for renters looking to transition into homeownership.
The migration trend could also benefit Iowa’s broader economy as new residents bring workforce talent, consumer spending, and entrepreneurial activity into the state. Community leaders across Iowa have increasingly focused on attracting inbound residents from neighboring states as part of long-term economic development strategies.
For renters considering a move from Minneapolis to Iowa, Des Moines offers a blend of Midwestern familiarity with lower costs and expanding opportunities — a combination that appears to be resonating strongly in the latest Apartment List data.
As housing affordability continues to shape relocation decisions nationwide, Des Moines may remain one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing destinations for renters seeking a more balanced and affordable lifestyle.