
Cheap 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $480 (230 Rentals)


1501 University Ave

Highland Park Apartments

The Village at Westchester

Goldbriar Chateau

Valley Acres Apartments

The 2800 Residences

1333 22nd St

Lenox Properties
Des Moines's Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about Des Moines and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Joseph Isenberg

2820 Cottage Grove Ave

Pioneer Estates

Park Forest

Capitol Heights

Ivy II

MLK Brickstone Apartments

Watrous Apartments

The Ridges

Riverview Oaks Apartments

The Hampton Meadows
Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts—Oh My!
Looking for the perfect rental? From apartments and condos to lofts and single family rentals, explore the unique pros and cons of each rental type to help you land in your perfect new place.

Beaverdale Housing LLC

Sutton Hill

Imperial Grand Prix

The Elliott

Crossroad Apartments

Wakonda Village

Evergreen Terrace

Inglewood Apartments

Cornerstone Apartments

Village on Grand
Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Looking for the perfect new rental? Learn great ways to spot the perfect apartment for you, identify common red flags, and avoid rental issues and scams with these expert provided actionable tips.

Pleasant Court

Old Main & Drake Apartments

Grand Homes (55+ Community)

Stockbridge Apartments

Hamilton Apartments

Randolph Apartments

Sunburst

Forest Avenue Village

Four Seasons Apartments
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

Grand Colony

Hampton House Apartments

Parkside East

Total Monthly Price
Park Ridge Apartments

The Village at Grays Lake

The Parker

Total Monthly Price
Prairie Woods Apartments

Willow Bend

722 18th St

Elmcrest
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.
Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Des Moines?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Studio Apartments | $958 | $480 | $2,360 |
| Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,161 | $480 | $5,624 |
| Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,296 | $651 | $3,705 |
| Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,656 | $655 | $2,914 |
| Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,225 | $530 | $2,300 |
Browse Top Apartments in Des Moines
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Des Moines, IA Local Guide
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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.
Read ArticleNavigating 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.
Read ArticleReal 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 ArticleQuick 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.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Des Moines, IA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA Area Reviews
Joseph • 4+ years in Des Moines
May 14, 2025Many residents prefer the western suburbs or more distant communities like Indianola, Boone, Ames, or Newton. Certainly those are all viable options.I would never pick Des Moines for its schools, for example. But the city has many fine neighborhoods which are worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Des Moines Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Des Moines?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Des Moines is under $647.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Des Moines?
The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is 732 19th St which is listed at $550, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,156.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Des Moines?
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 3,165 regular apartments in Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
Cheap apartments in Des Moines have an average cost of $377 which is $779 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Des Moines.
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

A Local Expert's Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Des Moines, Iowa
Written by: Joseph Isenberg
I'm Joe, the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Des Moines and Central Iowa. My parents moved to Central Iowa in 1967, and my family has been here ever since.

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.

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.

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.

