Cheap Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA from $439 (146 Rentals)

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

property at 330 N Franklin Ave
$500 - $700

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$500 - $700
Total Monthly Price$500 - $700
4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home for Rent
Available Oct 1
Furnished

330 N Franklin Ave

AmesIA50014
  • Smoke Free
property at 333 Rockwell Ave
$585

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$585
Total Monthly Price$585
5 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

333 Rockwell Ave

AmesIA50014

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

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

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property at 1504 Idaho Ave
$830

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$830
Total Monthly Price$830
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

1504 Idaho Ave

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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property at 813 Delaware Ave
$935

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$935
Total Monthly Price$935
3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

813 Delaware 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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property at 2401 Knapp St
$990

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$990
Total Monthly Price$990
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

2401 Knapp St

AmesIA50014
  • Smoke Free
property at 2317 Clark Ave
$995

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$995
Total Monthly Price$995
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

2317 Clark Ave

AmesIA50010

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

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 3

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: 09/20/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Ames, IA area range in price from $439 to $2,450 with an overall median price of $878. The three Ames neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fountainview at $845, Gateway Hills at $850, and North Ames at $855. 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$845$43991
Gateway Hills$850$52962
North Ames$855$469171
East Ames$867$47597
Downtown Ames$870$475123
South Ames$870$439195
Campustown$872$52967
Dauntless$875$43980
West Ames$875$439231
Grand Junction$890$60532

Cheapest Available Ames Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Ames, IA is a 4 Beds unit found at The Social West Ames® in the Fountainview neighborhood priced from $469. Campustown in the Somerset neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $549. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Ames apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Social West Ames®Langley B Renovated - Station4BR, 2BA$469
Campustown200 Stanton Ave - 4 Bed - 2 Bath - B - UF4BR, 2BA$549
304 Welch AveStudioStudio, 1BA$635
Copper Beech3BR/3BA3BR, 3BA$640
The Grove3BR/3BA Upgraded3BR, 3BA$650
Grandview Square Apartments1 bedroom 1 bath1BR, 1BA$690
Fountain View Apartments1 Bedroom1BR, 1BA$695
West TowneStudioStudio, 1BA$699

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

As of September 20, 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 Somerset neighborhood starting from $550. The second greatest value Ames apartment is the Furnished Casy Renovated - Steinbeck Model at The Social West Ames Steinbeck in the Fountainview neighborhood starting at $479 with a $0.37 price per square foot. 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
The Social West Ames SteinbeckFurnished Casy Renovated - Steinbeck4BR, 2BA$0.37
Campustown200 Stanton Ave - 3 Bed - 1 Bath - A - UF3BR, 1BA$0.48
Point at AmesTelluride A3BR, 3BA$0.60
The Quarters AmesA - 3x33BR, 3BA$0.44
The Madison Apartments3x3 Furnished3BR, 3BA$0.55
The Social West Ames®Wynwood - Station2BR, 2BA$0.55
444 Welch#2063BR, 2BA$0.61
The Social ReserveGuthrie - Reserve2BR, 1BA$0.77
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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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.

Best Local Schools in
Ames, IA

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

Explore Ames, IA Rentals by Map

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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 $699.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Ames?

The cheapest apartment in Ames is Grandview Square Apartments which is listed at $690, while the average apartment in Ames costs $878.

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 592 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 $507 which is $371 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.

decorative image for How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis article

How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis

Written by: Robin Stewart

Many housing markets throughout America share a common complaint: a lack of affordable rental properties.

decorative image for Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My! article

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

decorative image for Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags article

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.