Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $400 (430 Rentals)

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

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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Park Ridge Apartments
$775 - $935
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$775 - $935
Total Monthly Price
$775 - $935
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Park Ridge Apartments

3200 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50315
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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

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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: 05/08/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Des Moines, IA area range in price from $480 to $6,746 with an overall median price of $1,666. The three Des Moines neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Campus Park Wrights Grove at $480, River Bend at $480, and Accent at $597. 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
Campus Park Wrights Grove$850$48020
River Bend$960$4806
Accent$1,005$59719
Douglas Acres$1,067$59746
North of Grand$1,124$60013
Sheridan Gardens$1,140$75065
Frisbie Park$1,150$525189
Golf & Country Club$1,150$625241
Nuttall Acres$1,150$723209
Crown Point$1,195$72218

Cheapest Available Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at The Townhall Food Hall and Apartments in the Grandview College Area neighborhood priced from $480. Highland Park Apartments in the Grandview College Area neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $597. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Des Moines apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Townhall Food Hall and Apartments1 BR1BR,1BA$480
Highland Park ApartmentsStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
Highland Park ManorStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
Village GreenStudioStudio,1BA$600
Plymouth Place Retirement Community 62+Studio - Retirement CommunityStudio,1BA$600
The View On HickmanNew Build Apartment Available for Immediate Mov...Studio,1BA$625
The Concord BuildingStudioStudio,1BA$630
Lenox PropertiesGreenwood AStudio,1BA$635
The AcaciaStudio - ClassicStudio,1BA$647
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$648

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA

As of May 08, 2026 the best value apartment in the Des Moines area is the $0.77 price per square foot Four bed Model at Prairie Trails in the in the Hayes Acres neighborhood starting from $2,300. The second greatest value Des Moines apartment is the 2 BR/ 1 BA Model at 3612 Ingersoll Ave starting at $1,200 with a $0.75 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.
Prairie TrailsFour bed4BR,3BA$0.77
3612 Ingersoll Ave2 BR/ 1 BA2BR,1BA$0.75
Normandy Terrace Apartments2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath2BR,1.5BA$0.60
Colonial VillageChesapeake3BR,2BA$0.77
Southern Meadows HomesPlan B - two story3BR,2BA$0.93
Finn Apartmentsfin-2r2BR,2BA$0.92
Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.93
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.73
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.92
1201 E Bell Avenue2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$0.94

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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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.

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

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Des Moines, IA Area Reviews

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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 $648.

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

The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is The Townhall Food Hall and Apartments which is listed at $480, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,666.

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 3,735 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 $294 which is $1,372 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

decorative image for A Local Expert's Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Des Moines, Iowa article

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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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

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Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

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

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.