Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $500 (457 Rentals)

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Des Moines, IA Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Des Moines, IA

Pricing Updated: 07/30/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Des Moines, IA area range in price from $547 to $4,991 with an overall median price of $1,583. The three Des Moines neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are River Bend at $725, Indianola Hills at $601, and Campus Park Wrights Grove at $547. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Des Moines Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
River Bend$850$7252
Indianola Hills$975$60125
Campus Park Wrights Grove$1,097$54714
Highland Park$1,097$54723
Fairmont Park$1,108$54721
Accent$1,120$54714
Bethany Heights$1,140$547103
Chautauqua Park$1,140$69558
Craig Reed Park$1,140$547114
Laurel Hill$1,140$69539

Cheapest Available Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Des Moines, IA is a 2 Beds unit found at Campus View Student Housing in the Springwood neighborhood priced from $500. Clover Creek in the Northwest Des Moines neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $547. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Des Moines apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Campus View Student Housing2 Bed / 2 Bath2BR,2BA$500
Clover Creek0/1Studio,1BA$547
Highland Park Apartments (DSM)Standard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$547
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$548
Northtown ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$595
Village GreenStudioStudio,1BA$600
Watrous ApartmentsA11BR,1BA$601
Riverview Oaks ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$625
The View on Douglas0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$650
The View On Hickman0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$650

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA

As of July 30, 2025 the best value apartment in the Des Moines area is the $0.91 price per square foot 3 Bedroom Model at The Meadows in the in the Somerset neighborhood starting from $950. The second greatest value Des Moines apartment is the 2 Bedroom Model at Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes starting at $850 with a $0.89 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Des Moines apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Meadows3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$0.91
Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.89
Hamilton ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$0.84
Goldbriar Chateau2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.94
The 4220 Grand ApartmentsTwo Bedroom Large2BR,1.5BA$0.94
The Pointe on FleurOne Month FREE Rent - 2 Bedrooms2BR,1BA$0.87
The JeffersonFully Renovated with Balcony2BR,1BA$0.95
Campus View Student Housing2 Bed / 2 Bath2BR,2BA$0.67
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$0.80
Watrous ApartmentsA11BR,1BA$0.92

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Des Moines Overview

It’s likely that you only really hear about Des Moines every four years when the presidential caucuses kick off in this city. But that’s only part of the great culture and history of Des Moines. It’s over 150 years old and in that time has grown to be a Midwestern hub of culture and commerce. If you’re in the insurance industry, Des Moines is the absolute best place to live as it is the home of several large insurance companies. Des Moines isn’t just for insurance people, though, it’s a city that keeps growing, and it’s even been attracting more and more young people. If you’re looking for apartments in Des Moines, this must be an exciting time in your life because Des Moines is a great (not to mention inexpensive) place to live.

Why live in Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines is a constantly underrated city. It’s not the most talked about city, but it sure has a lot going on! It’s the home of several professional minor league sports teams, including the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. Des Moines is also a smart city. It has an impressive public school system and houses five colleges and universities. Iowa’s work force, including that of Des Moines, ranks as one of the best educated in the country due to its 80% high school graduation rate. Des Moines’ real claim to fame is its importance in the presidential election, many candidates set up campaign offices here due to its position as the site of the first caucuses.

Des Moines, IA
Population: 216,853

Ranked #101

in US Census Population by City

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

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Getting Around Des Moines, IA

Walk Score®

53 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

45 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Minimal bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

31 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Des Moines, IA Area Reviews

  • Parks
  • Entertainment
  • Local Vibes
  • Restaurants
  • Location
  • Traffic
  • Public Transportation
  • Outdoor Access
  • Cost of Living
  • Safety

Joseph • 4+ years in Des Moines

May 14, 2025

Many 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 $650.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Des Moines?

The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is Highland Park Apartments (DSM) which is listed at $547, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,583.

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 3,787 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 $383 which is $1,200 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Des Moines.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

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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.

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

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Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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

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You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.