Travel Nurse Housing in Des Moines, Iowa: Complete Guide

Des Moines is Iowa’s capital and a rising Midwest city with a revitalized downtown, excellent food scene, and one of the lowest costs of living among state capitals. Travel nurses find strong hospital systems and exceptional financial value.

Des Moines healthcare includes UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Whether you are heading to Des Moines for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Des Moines has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Des Moines is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center — A large Catholic hospital and Level I trauma center serving central Iowa.

Iowa Methodist Medical Center — Part of UnityPoint Health, a comprehensive hospital in the Des Moines medical district.

Broadlawns Medical Center — Polk County’s public safety-net hospital serving a diverse patient population.

Blank Children’s Hospital — Part of UnityPoint Health, Iowa’s largest children’s hospital.

Travel nurse demand in Des Moines is generally steady, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Des Moines assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Des Moines.

East Village

Des Moines’s trendiest area with local shops, restaurants, and proximity to the state capitol.

Pros: Walkable, trendy dining, close to hospitals, growing arts scene

Cons: Higher rents for Des Moines, limited parking, can be quiet at night

Sherman Hill

A historic neighborhood near downtown with Victorian homes and affordable rents.

Pros: Affordable, close to hospitals, historic character, walkable to downtown

Cons: Some blocks need awareness, older housing, limited dining options

West Des Moines and Jordan Creek

Suburban area with shopping, dining, and newer apartments.

Pros: Modern apartments, safe, good shopping, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, far from downtown hospitals, limited character

Beaverdale

A charming residential neighborhood with a walkable business district north of downtown.

Pros: Neighborhood character, walkable shops, affordable, community feel

Cons: Farther from hospitals, quiet nightlife, car needed for commuting

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Des Moines is car-dependent. DART bus service is limited. Commutes are typically under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Des Moines through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Des Moines are slightly below the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $650 to $1,050 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $800 to $1,250 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,000 to $1,600 per month

Des Moines is extremely affordable. Your stipend will stretch very far with quality furnished housing available well below stipend amounts.

Many travel nurses in Des Moines find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Des Moines, IA area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Des Moines

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Des Moines that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Iowa winters are real — Cold, snowy winters from December through March. Budget for winter gear.

2. The food scene surprises people — Des Moines has an excellent and growing food scene that consistently surprises newcomers.

3. Iowa State Fair — If your assignment overlaps with August, the Iowa State Fair is a quintessential Midwest experience.

4. Iowa income tax — Iowa has a state income tax, but the very low cost of living still makes Des Moines a strong financial choice.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Des Moines has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are below the national average. Gas is cheap. Dining out is very affordable.

When budgeting for your Des Moines assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Hy-Vee and Aldi offer excellent grocery prices. Des Moines’s growing restaurant scene in East Village and along Ingersoll Avenue offers great value. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Des Moines has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Pappajohn Sculpture Park — A free outdoor sculpture park in the Western Gateway with works by world-renowned artists.
• Des Moines Art Center — A free art museum with works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and other masters.
• High Trestle Trail — A stunning pedestrian bridge with LED light features on a rail-trail west of the city.
• East Village Dining — Explore Des Moines’s trendiest neighborhood with craft cocktail bars and farm-to-table restaurants.

Take full advantage of your time in Des Moines. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Des Moines, Iowa offers travel nurses an affordable and growing Midwest capital with strong hospitals, a surprising food and arts scene, and exceptional financial value for travel nurses. With MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, and Broadlawns Medical Center and a below average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Des Moines, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Des Moines assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Des Moines assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.