Cheap Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA from $300 (130 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Ames.

property at 333 Rockwell Ave

$585

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$585
Total Monthly Price
$585

5 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

333 Rockwell Ave

AmesIA50014

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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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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property at 4503 Twain Cir

$1,000

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,000
Total Monthly Price
$1,000

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Jul 1

4503 Twain Cir, Unit 204

4503 Twain Cir
AmesIA50014

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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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: 06/21/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Ames, IA area range in price from $350 to $2,300 with an overall median price of $1,090. The three Ames neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fountainview at $350, Dauntless at $350, and South Ames at $350. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Ames Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Fountainview$885$35058
Dauntless$895$35054
South Ames$929$35096
North Ames$942$35076
Downtown Ames$950$44554
East Ames$950$44534
Grand Junction$950$5495
West Ames$950$350110
West Campus Village$950$35064
Somerset$1,150$48956

Cheapest Available Ames Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Ames, IA is a 3 Beds unit found at Campustown in the Somerset neighborhood priced from $489. The Social West Ames® in the Fountainview neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $499. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Ames apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Campustown200 Stanton Ave - 3 Bed - 1 Bath - C - UF3BR,1BA$489
The Social West Ames®Langley B Renovated - Station4BR,2BA$499
The Grove3BR/3BA Upgraded3BR,3BA$599
Copper Beech3BR/3BA3BR,3BA$660
Hickory Ridge Apartments0 bed, 1 bathStudio,1BA$699
College Creek Apartments1 Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$755
Oakwood1 bedroom1BR,1BA$775
Melrose Park Apartments1 Bed/1 Bath Apartment1BR,1BA$785
Somerset ApartmentsStudio ApartmentStudio,1BA$800
Hyland Apartments1 Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$820

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

As of June 21, 2026 the best value apartment in the Ames area is the $1.03 price per square foot 3515 Lincoln Way ( 4 bdrm ) Model at Walnut Ridge in the in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood starting from $2,000. The second greatest value Ames apartment is the 200 Stanton Ave - 3 Bed - 1 Bath - A - UF Model at Campustown starting at $584 with a $0.45 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.
Walnut Ridge3515 Lincoln Way ( 4 bdrm )4BR,3BA$1.03
Campustown200 Stanton Ave - 3 Bed - 1 Bath - A - UF3BR,1BA$0.45
The Social ReserveTaylor - Reserve3BR,2BA$0.36
The Grove3BR/3BA Upgraded3BR,3BA$0.48
Campus Flats3 Bed - Rent by Room3BR,3BA$0.62
The Madison3x3 Unfurnished3BR,3BA$0.49
1108 S. 4th Street3 Bed/ 1.5 Bath3BR,1.5BA$0.98
The Social West Ames®Cambridge A - Station3BR,2BA$0.60
The Landing AmesB1 - 2x22BR,2BA$0.68
The LoftsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.78

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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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.

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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 the price of a cheap apartment in Ames?

The cheapest apartment in Ames is College Creek Apartments which is listed at $755, while the average apartment in Ames costs $1,090.

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 392 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 $561 which is $529 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

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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.

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

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

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Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.