The Johnston Brief
Johnston is one of the Des Moines metro's established north-side suburbs, and it keeps adding apartments and townhomes as it builds out, so if you're looking to rent here, you've got options. Here's the plain renter's guide: what a one or two bedroom actually costs, where the apartments cluster, and the costs beyond rent that catch people off guard.
Renting in Johnston generally runs about $1,100 to $1,300 a month for a one-bedroom and roughly $1,300 to $1,600 for a two-bedroom, depending on the complex, the age of the building, and included amenities; newer luxury complexes and listing-site averages can push one-bedrooms into the mid-$1,400s. Rent estimates vary a lot by source, so treat these as ranges and price the exact unit against current listings.
A one-bedroom in Johnston generally runs about $1,100 to $1,300 and a two-bedroom about $1,300 to $1,600; rent figures differ a lot by listing site, so treat these as ranges, not exact quotes, and always price the specific unit:
Newer luxury complexes with pools, gyms, and attached garages sit at the top of those ranges; older buildings and smaller landlords sit lower. Listing-site averages for Johnston have run into the mid-$1,400s for a one-bedroom, so always check current listings. For how rent fits the wider budget, see our cost of living in Johnston guide.
Johnston's rentals cluster in a few main areas: near the Town Center and the Merle Hay Road corridor, around the Green Meadows and Corporate Woods area on the west side, and in newer complexes and townhomes on the west and northwest sides:
Real examples renters look at include Sterling Pointe, Winwood Apartments, Johnston Gardens, Providence Pointe, Residences at 62W, and the Johnston Commons Brownstones; these are examples to start your search, not endorsements, and availability changes constantly.
Beyond rent, budget for utilities, deposits and fees, monthly pet rent, garage parking if you want it, and renters insurance; rent is only part of the monthly number. Plan for:
A few things that help: tour in person before signing, ask what's included versus billed separately, check the commute at your actual rush hour, and read the lease's rules on subletting and lease-breaking. Newer complexes sometimes run move-in specials, so it's worth asking about current promotions. If you're moving from out of town, our full moving to Johnston guide covers schools, commute, and what the town is like.
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A one-bedroom generally runs about $1,100 to $1,300 and a two-bedroom about $1,300 to $1,600, depending on the building and amenities, with newer complexes and listing-site averages running into the mid-$1,400s for a one-bedroom. It runs somewhat above the national median; price the exact unit.
Near the Town Center and Merle Hay Road, around Green Meadows and Corporate Woods on the west side, and in newer complexes on the west and northwest sides. The Town Center area is the most walkable.
For many people, yes: a top-ranked school district, low crime, and a short commute to downtown Des Moines. Rents run somewhat above the national median and it's a car-oriented suburb, so weigh the commute.
Utilities (MidAmerican for electric and gas, the City of Johnston for water and sewer, plus trash and internet), a security deposit and application/admin/pet fees, monthly pet rent, garage parking if you want it, and renters insurance (usually required and cheap).
Practically yes. It's a car-oriented suburb; the Town Center is the most walkable pocket and DART Local Route 5 connects it to downtown, but you'll want a car for most trips.