Cheap Apartments for Rent with Specials in Des Moines, IA from $400 (119 Rentals)

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Rental Listings with Specials.

Cheap Apartments in Des Moines.

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Hampton House Apartments
Rent Specials
$699 - $1,599
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$599 - $1,499
Required Monthly Fees
$100
Total Monthly Price
$699 - $1,599
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hampton House Apartments

4200 Grand AveDes Moines, IA 50312
Furnished
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

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

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City Square Lofts
Rent Specials
$755 - $1,819
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$722 - $1,786
Required Monthly Fees
$33
Total Monthly Price
$755 - $1,819
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

City Square Lofts

240 E Walnut StDes Moines, IA 50309
Affordability
  • Verified
  • 3D Tour
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Broadway Heights
Rent Specials
$759 - $1,119
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$742 - $1,102
Required Monthly Fees
$17
Total Monthly Price
$759 - $1,119
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Broadway Heights

4282 E 50th StDes Moines, IA 50317
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Low Income
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Legacy Meadows
Rent Specials
$760 - $940
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$745 - $925
Required Monthly Fees
$15
Total Monthly Price
$760 - $940
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Legacy Meadows

4530 Lower Beaver RdDes Moines, IA 50310
Outdoors
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  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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Park Ridge Apartments
Rent Specials
$775 - $1,100
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$775 - $1,100
Total Monthly Price
$775 - $1,100
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Park Ridge Apartments

3200 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50315
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included
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The Des Moines Building
Rent Specials
$780 - $1,324
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$775 - $1,319
Required Monthly Fees
$5
Total Monthly Price
$780 - $1,324
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Des Moines Building

405 6th AveDes Moines, IA 50309
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Low Income

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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418 East Grand
Rent Specials
$780 - $1,310
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$775 - $1,305
Required Monthly Fees
$5
Total Monthly Price
$780 - $1,310
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

418 East Grand

418 E Grand AveDes Moines, IA 50309
Furnished
  • Verified
  • 3D Tour
  • Smoke Free
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Cypress 1 (East Ridge)
Rent Specials
$822 - $922
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$712 - $812
Required Monthly Fees
$110
Total Monthly Price
$822 - $922
2 Bedroom Apartments Available Mar 14

Cypress 1 (East Ridge)

3909 Hubbell AveDes Moines, IA 50317
Affordability
  • Verified
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Prairie Woods Apartments
Rent Specials
$825 - $1,150
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$825 - $1,150
Total Monthly Price
$825 - $1,150
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Prairie Woods Apartments

4014 Hubbell AveDes Moines, IA 50317
Family Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

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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Woodside Park Apartments
Rent Specials
$825 - $895
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$825 - $895
Total Monthly Price
$825 - $895
2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Woodside Park Apartments

3301 SE 22nd StDes Moines, IA 50320
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included
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The Scott at East Village
Rent Specials
$829 - $1,668
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$829 - $1,668
Total Monthly Price
$829 - $1,668
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Scott at East Village

700 E 5th StDes Moines, IA 50309
Corporate Housing
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  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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Weston Park Apartments
Rent Specials
$850 - $1,050
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$814 - $1,014
Required Monthly Fees
$36
Total Monthly Price
$850 - $1,050
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Weston Park Apartments

4200 Park AveDes Moines, IA 50321
Furnished
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included
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Canary Lofts
Rent Specials
$890 - $1,700
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$885 - $1,695
Required Monthly Fees
$5
Total Monthly Price
$890 - $1,700
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Canary Lofts

2530 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
Affordability
  • Verified
  • Smoke Free
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Finn Apartments
Rent Specials
$895 - $1,125
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$890 - $1,120
Required Monthly Fees
$5
Total Monthly Price
$895 - $1,125
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Finn Apartments

2221 Stanton AveDes Moines, IA 50321
Pet Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Velocity
Rent Specials
$899 - $2,897
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$804 - $2,802
Required Monthly Fees
$95
Total Monthly Price
$899 - $2,897
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Velocity

225 E Center StDes Moines, IA 50309
Eco-Friendly
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour
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University Village
Rent Specials
$900 - $975
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$815 - $890
Required Monthly Fees
$85
Total Monthly Price
$900 - $975
1 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

University Village

2225 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
Corporate Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Smoke Free
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Maxwell
Rent Specials
$900 - $1,650Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability

Maxwell

915 Mulberry StDes Moines, IA 50309
Corporate Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Des Moines, IA Local Guide

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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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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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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Quick 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.

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

Explore Des Moines, IA Rentals by Map

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Des Moines, IA Area Reviews

  • Parks
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  • Local Vibes
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  • Traffic
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  • Cost of Living
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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 $650.

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

The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is Highland Park Apartments which is listed at $597, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $2,118.

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 4,230 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 $324 which is $1,794 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.

decorative image for Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters article

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

decorative image for 18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property article

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

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A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

Written by: Bob Mallory

Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.