5+ Days Ago
Highlights
- Quiet, smoke-free building
- Peaceful, secure living
- Professionals
Location
421 College Ave #103, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA|River Bend
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Property Overview
421 College Avenue, Unit 103 earns a strong Zumper expert rating of 8.3, reflecting its competitive pricing, impressive amenities, and prime location, each rated a 9 out of 10. The property is situated in a quiet, smoke-free environment, ensuring a secure living experience, with the added benefit of being conveniently close to a top-rated elementary school just 0.23 miles away. Additionally, it demonstrates transparency and trustworthiness with a rating of 7 out of 10, assuring potential renters of a reliable living choice.
This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings” and “Things you’ll love” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.
Things you’ll love
Elementary school nearby- Laundry available on site
Floor plans
| 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 | 1 bed | 1 bath | 440 sqft | $900 /mo | The 421 on College Is a quite, smoke and pet free building of professionals seeking a peaceful, secure living. The vibe here is unsurpassed just read our reviews, but dont stop there come for a showing and get ready to stay. Close to East Village, bike paths, river front, Lauridsen Skate park, Brenton Skate Plaza, DMACC, Drake and minutes to Target or Jordan Creek accepted. |
Let's explore this property.
Amenities for 421 College Avenue, Unit 103
Apartment Amenities
| Gas |
Appliances
| Garbage Disposal | Microwave |
| Range/Oven | Refrigerator |
Building
| Laundry Shared | Onsite Laundry |
Units, floor plans, amenities, dimensions, details, availability, and prices may be approximate and subject to change. Please contact a community representative for more information.
Policies and fees
Applicants
Applicants
One-time.
Contact Property
REQUIRED FEES
Security Deposit
One-time. Refundable.
Contact Property
Building details
Property details
| Year built | 1978 |
|---|
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About 421 College Avenue, Unit 103
The 421 on College Is a quite, smoke and pet free building of professionals seeking a peaceful, secure living. The vibe here is unsurpassed just read our reviews, but dont stop there come for a showing and get ready to stay. Close to East Village, bike paths, river front, Lauridsen Skate park, Brenton Skate Plaza, DMACC, Drake and minutes to Target or Jordan Creek accepted.
Year Built: 1978
Zumper Expert Rating
Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
8.3
/10
Very GoodWith a solid 8.3 out of 10 overall, 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.
Price·9A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
421 College Avenue, Unit 103 stands out with a remarkable rating of 9/10 for its cost per bedroom compared to other rentals in the area. Considering the excellent balance between price, convenience, and comfort that it provides, residents enjoy a high-quality living experience.
Amenities·9A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
421 College Avenue, Unit 103 goes above and beyond to provide sought-after conveniences and desirable perks, including garbage disposal. Renters looking for popular or luxurious features will find them here—and for that reason, 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 receives one of the highest amenities scores.
Location·9A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
421 College Avenue, Unit 103 is exceptional when it comes to location and conveniences. Communication with management or leasing staff is usually quick and easy and they often use advanced scheduling and communication tools to streamline the process. The location of this property offers easy access to popular points of interest in the area and options for getting around.
Quality·6A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
While 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 does not have many hallmark characteristics to highlight, it has some qualities and features that will resonate with a broad range of renters.
Trustworthiness·7A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
421 College Avenue, Unit 103 provides some information about the features available in the community and its apartments, making it a reliable option for prospective renters. Renters should ask additional questions about amenities and non-negotiable items they are looking for.
Property highlights
We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.How 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 compares to other nearby properties.
Positives
- Elementary school nearby
- There is an elementary school 0.2 mile away
- Laundry available on site
- Washers and dryers are available in-building or in-unit
Considerations
- Greater distance from middle schools
- The nearest middle school is farther than 1 mile away
- Greater distance from high schools
- The nearest high school is farther than 1 mile away
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Rent trends in River Bend
1-bedroom apartments at 421 College Avenue, Unit 103 cost about 17% more than the average rent price for 1-bedroom apartments in River Bend.
Median rents as of Mar 14 2026.
River Bend
Des Moines
| Month | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| March 2024 | $995 |
| April 2024 | $1,012 |
| May 2024 | $996 |
| June 2024 | $1,007 |
| July 2024 | $998 |
| August 2024 | $998 |
| September 2024 | $997 |
| October 2024 | $964 |
| November 2024 | $963 |
| December 2024 | $1,007 |
| January 2025 | $1,018 |
| February 2025 | $983 |
| March 2025 | $949 |
| April 2025 | $895 |
| May 2025 | $915 |
| June 2025 | $918 |
| July 2025 | $876 |
| August 2025 | $870 |
| September 2025 | $870 |
| October 2025 | $855 |
| November 2025 | $848 |
| December 2025 | $865 |
| January 2026 | $870 |
| February 2026 | $870 |
| March 2026 | $870 |
| Month | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| March 2024 | $725 |
| April 2024 | $700 |
| May 2024 | $725 |
| June 2024 | $762 |
| July 2024 | $834 |
| August 2024 | $791 |
| September 2024 | $828 |
| October 2024 | $875 |
| November 2024 | $882 |
| December 2024 | $885 |
| January 2025 | $739 |
| February 2025 | $821 |
| March 2025 | $877 |
| April 2025 | $818 |
| May 2025 | $736 |
| June 2025 | $780 |
| July 2025 | $811 |
| August 2025 | $765 |
| September 2025 | $752 |
| October 2025 | $743 |
| November 2025 | $757 |
| December 2025 | $730 |
| January 2026 | $752 |
| February 2026 | $781 |
| March 2026 | $781 |
Affordability calculator
Can I afford to live at 421 College Ave #103?
Bedrooms
1 bedroomRent-to-income ratio
30%
Slide to adjust the percentage of your monthly income you are willing to spend on rent.
The general rule of thumb is to spend around 30% or less of your income on rent.
Recommended income
$36,000/yr
With your selected rent-to-income ratio, you'd ideally want to make $36,000 annually to afford this 1-bedroom monthly rent price of $900.
For more information on rent affordability, visit our rent calculator.
Schools near 421 College Avenue, Unit 103
Moulton Elementary School
1541 8th st
des moines, IA, 50314
PK, K-5Public
C-
Jessie Franklin Taylor Preschool
1801 16th st
des moines, IA, 50314
PKPublic
Ruby Van Meter
710 28th st
des moines, IA, 50312
K-12Public
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
4000 lower beaver rd
des moines, IA, 50310
PKPublic
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
111 porter
des moines, IA, 50310
PKPublic
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Internet available near 421 College Avenue, Unit 103
Neighborhood
River Bend | Des Moines, IA
NEIGHBORHOOD VIBE
Peaceful and quiet
Noise-canceling headphones not required in this mostly noise free area.
Getting around Des Moines near 421 College Ave #103
Walking
6/10
Grab your reusable bags–many shops and stores are within walking distance.
Driving
8/10
This area is close to freeways and has adequate parking options.
Cycling
7/10
Peddling isn’t a problem with cyclist-friendly streets and bikeable destinations.
Transit
3/10
There are a few mass transit options within the area.
Points of interest for 421 College Ave #103, Des Moines
Groceries
8/10
At least one supermarket within a 10-minute walk
Shopping
4/10
Several shops within walking distance
Cafes
4/10
Some cafés within a few minutes’ walk
Restaurants
6/10
Some restaurants within a few minutes’ walk
Primary schools
9/10
At least one elementary school within a 10-minute walk
High schools
7/10
At least one high school within a 15-minute walk
Parks
8/10
Large amount of park space nearby
Nightlife
4/10
Some bars within walking distance
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