Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA (304 Rentals)

How Many Bedrooms?Done
Select your price rangeDone
to
Lifestyle Matching SearchDone
Learn more about Lifestyle Search
By AmenitiesDone
By Community TypeDone
Features and AvailabilityDone
Done

Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

Read Article

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

Read Article

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

Read Article
Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 7

Ames, IA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.

Read Article
Decorative image

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.

Read Article
Decorative image

Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

Read Article
Decorative image

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

decorative image of people with a giant lease agreement

Ames Overview

Recently listed by CNNMoney as one of their 'best places to live', Ames is an inviting slice of American heritage that's ideal for both working class families and ambitious Twenty-somethings alike. Home to a number of places of higher learning as well as an assortment of other industry, this Iowa hotspot is a must-consider for anyone in the market for a great new spot to call home.

What is the history of Ames?

Taking its name from a U.S. Congressman, Ames was settled in the mid-1800s primarily as a gas stop along the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad line. Positioned near the beautiful but questionably-named Skunk River, Ames rose to prominence in the 1900s as a hub of higher learning, with Iowa State University's population accounting for nearly half the residents in the city. A national laboratory for the Department of Energy can also be found within the city limits, as well as a number of facilities for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How is the weather in Ames?

Dubbed a humid continental climate, those living in Ames apartments can expect four distinct seasons, from the hot and humid month of July to the snow-prone January. Autumn and spring tend to be the most pleasant, marked by brisk evening temperatures and sunny days.

How do I get around town?

The transit system CyRide offers service throughout the city, initiated as an assistance to students getting to class. Rail service has diminished in recent years, although the Union-Pacific line still carries freight through the city limits daily. There is a regional airport, but most residents of rentals in Ames fly commercial via the nearby airport in Des Moines, about 30 miles away. On average, most locals still rely on a car or truck for daily needs.

What is the Ames commute like?

Interstate 35 as well as Highways 69 and 30 serve as major thoroughfares of the city, and traffic generally moves at a reasonable pace. Those living in Ames apartments but commuting to the job market of Des Moines can similarly expect smooth sailing on most days, save the occasional fender bender or construction-related delay. 

What are the local media outlets?

The 'Ames Tribune' devotes daily coverage to print news of the city, and a swath of radio options including public news and college radio formats can be found with ease, thanks to WOI-FM and KURE respectively. Most broadcast television is handled by nearby Des Moines affiliates, including KDIN-TV.

Why live in Ames, IA?

From the area university...which has produced Pulitzer Prize winners, astronauts and more...to the wide array of historic structures and stately homes lining the downtown area, Ames apartments make a fantastic place to live, work and play. Offering easy access to the nightlife and job market of nearby Des Moines, Ames maintains an intrinsic charm all its own.

What Ames landmarks should I see?

The Farm House Museum dates back to the 1860s and remains one of the oldest historic landmarks in the city, while Fisher Theater remains a highlight of the university grounds. Inis Grove Park is a great spot to relax with a book or partake in some bird watching, and the Ames Public Library is a mammoth structure, home to hundreds or thousands of books and other periodicals. 

What is there to do around Ames?

The Octagon Center for the Arts is a great place to view a variety of works, and the Space For Ames hosts diverse music performances weekly. Get into the swing of things at the Homewood Golf Course, or take in a couples-only skate at the Georgie Tsushima Memorial Skate Park, both easily reached from a variety of apartments for rent in Ames. Tour the community gardens of Squaw Creek, or get fishy at the Furman Aquatic Center, all excellent spots to spend some time.

Any annual festivals or Ames events to know?

From Marathons to music festivals to Iowa State football tailgates, there are plenty of fun, festival-like experiences to have around Ames.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Iowa is filled with plenty of state parks, camping and hiking opportunities for the outdoorsy set, and Des Moines is only about a forty minute car ride for those eager to explore the big city art galleries, museums and nightclubs. Of course, Kansas City and its famous jazz scene are also within reach for those desiring a music-heavy road trip to the south.

Where is the best place to move in Ames?

Whether you are a college student in need of an economic yet endearing one-bedroom unit close to class, or a growing family eager to discover a spacious 4-bedroom spread close to downtown and offering pet-friendly policies and plenty of onsite parking, we are confident the ideal Iowa apartment is ready and waiting for you in Ames. So what are you waiting for? Start your search for the next ultimate Ames apartment today, and see what all the hype is about! 

Best Local Schools in
Ames, IA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Ames, IA Rentals by Map

Decorative image of map

See the most popular apartments and homes in Ames, IA

View Map
Ames, IA Apartments Map
View Map
Ames, IA Rental Homes Map

Frequently Asked Questions about Ames

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Ames Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Ames ranges from $695 to $1,600 with an average monthly rent of $958.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Ames cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Ames range from $529 to $2,901. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $1,080.

How expensive are Ames Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 93 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Ames on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $459 to $1,701 - averaging $963 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent article

Neighborhood and Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Written by: Robin Stewart

Apartment-hunting can be a gargantuan task. Renters have a wish list of items—some luxuries, some necessities—but finding what you seek in the right place is perhaps the most important part of the journey.

decorative image for A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back article

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

decorative image for Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts article

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.