Cheap Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA from $400 (130 Rentals)

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126 Welch Ave, Unit 312
$550
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$550
Total Monthly Price
$550
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

126 Welch Ave, Unit 312

126 Welch AveAmes, IA 50014
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

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property at 611 Kellogg Ave

$825 - $1,095

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

611 Kellogg Ave

AmesIA50010

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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property at 2401 Knapp St

$990

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$990
Total Monthly Price
$990

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

2401 Knapp St

AmesIA50014
property at 2317 Clark Ave

$995

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$995
Total Monthly Price
$995

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Sep 1

2317 Clark Ave

AmesIA50010

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

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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Ames, IA Local Guide

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

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Ames, IA

Pricing Updated: 08/05/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Ames, IA area range in price from $439 to $2,657 with an overall median price of $886. The three Ames neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Dauntless at $812, Grand Junction at $870, and Campustown at $875. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Ames Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Dauntless$812$43966
Grand Junction$870$54916
Campustown$875$48954
Downtown Ames$875$48986
East Ames$875$48963
Fountainview$875$43969
Gateway Hills$875$48944
North Ames$875$469109
South Ames$875$439140
West Ames$875$439169

Cheapest Available Ames Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Ames, IA is a 3 Beds unit found at The Grove in the Grand Junction neighborhood priced from $599. 304 Welch Ave in the Somerset neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $635. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Ames apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Grove3BR/3BA Upgraded3BR,3BA$599
304 Welch AveStudioStudio,1BA$635
203 Campus1 Bed1BR,1BA$650
West Village Apartments1BR/1BA1BR,1BA$695
RiverbirchStudioStudio,1BA$695
The Ridge Apartments1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$695
Fountain View Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$695
Hickory Ridge Apartments0 bed, 1 bathStudio,1BA$699
College Creek Apartments1 Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$755

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

As of August 06, 2026 the best value apartment in the Ames area is the $0.36 price per square foot 4 Plus Bedroom/ 3 Bathroom - Lofted Model at 210 Gray - Sunset View in the in the Somerset neighborhood starting from $550. The second greatest value Ames apartment is the 216 S Kellogg Ave Model at 216 S Kellogg Ave, Unit 4 starting at $1,100 with a $0.79 price per square foot in the Somerset neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Ames apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
210 Gray - Sunset View4 Plus Bedroom/ 3 Bathroom - Lofted4BR,3BA$0.36
216 S Kellogg Ave, Unit 4216 S Kellogg Ave4BR,2BA$0.79
The Landing AmesC1 - 3x33BR,3BA$0.45
Total Property Management 125 Campus Ave.125 Campus4BR,2BA$0.81
Campus Flats3 Bed - Rent by Room3BR,3BA$0.53
The Quarters AmesA - 3x33BR,3BA$0.44
Beach View2 Bed/ 2 Bath2BR,2BA$0.75
The Grove2BR/2BA Upgraded2BR,2BA$0.73
Mortensen Heights2B2BR,2BA$0.71
126 Welch Ave, Unit 312126 Welch Ave1BR,1BA$0.73

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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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.

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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.

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.

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Ames, IA

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Ames Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Ames?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Ames is under $755.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Ames?

The cheapest apartment in Ames is 203 Campus which is listed at $650, while the average apartment in Ames costs $886.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Ames?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 152 regular apartments in Ames that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Ames?

Cheap apartments in Ames have an average cost of $477 which is $409 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Ames.

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 Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals article

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.