Cheap Short Term Lease Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $400 (64 Rentals)
Short Term Rental Options.
Cheap Apartments in Des Moines.

Ingersoll Park Studios

Rosemont Place

Hampton House Apartments

City Square Lofts

The Scott at East Village

Jackson Crossing
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.

The Grove at Hickman

The Deco

The Parker @ Seventh

Eagle View Lofts

R&T Lofts

10th Street Lofts

University Village
Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

824 Hartford Ave

Cityville

The Edge @ Grays Landing

Confluence on 3rd Apartments

Carman Estates

The Vineyards

The Flats Apartments

The McCoy at 8035 Apartments

Bristol Ridge

Clover Hills Apartments

Triple Crown Altoona Cooperative

The Vibe at 8035 Apartments

Urban Green Apartments

Blue Ridge Commons

Winwood Apartments

Riverwood

Reserve at Glenstone

Eastwood on Grand

Boulder Ridge Apartment Homes

Golfview Condos
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 | $1,046 | $450 | $2,244 |
Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,216 | $550 | $3,850 |
Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,296 | $583 | $3,140 |
Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,624 | $500 | $3,600 |
Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,400 | $500 | $2,850 |
Explore Des Moines

Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Des Moines Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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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.
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.
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 Highland Park Apartments (DSM) which is listed at $547, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,688.
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 2,902 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 $315 which is $1,373 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.

Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Written by: Sandy Baker
Making the decision to rent is exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many people, there are a lot of unknowns.

Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters
Written by: Brandie Parton
As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.