
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $500 with Swimming Pool (87 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Des Moines.


Civic Center Court Apartments

Weston Park Apartments

Beaverdale Housing LLC

Rosemont Place

The Village at Westchester

Sutton Hill

The Pointe on Fleur

Prairie Woods Apartments
Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

Eagle View Lofts

Old Main & Drake Apartments

Evergreen Terrace

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

Four Seasons Apartments

Westchester Square

Flats on 5th
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

Ingersoll Towers

Confluence on 3rd Apartments

Cityville

Soll

3000 Grand Apartments

Ingersoll Square Lofts

Ashley Square

District at 6th Apartments

Park Avenue by Broadmoor

The Residences at River View
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

Windsor Square by Broadmoor

Tempo East Village

Slate Age 55 Plus Active Community

Nexus at Gray's Landing

LINC at Gray's Station

Sherwood Glen

The Flats Apartments

Normandy Terrace Apartments

Park West Apartments
It's time to soak up some sun!
One of the easiest and more obvious ways of enjoying the summer sun is to lounge out by your community pool. Learn a Few Rules to Keep in Mind while at the pool.

Westpointe Apartments

Robin Hill

Eastwood on Grand

Bristol Ridge

Hamlet Apartments

Element at Valley West

Country Club Village Apartments

Woodland West

Blue Ridge Commons

Olde English Village
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.
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 | $906 | $500 | $2,335 |
| Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,087 | $547 | $3,251 |
| Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,221 | $648 | $2,884 |
| Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,572 | $685 | $3,096 |
| Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,857 | $655 | $5,876 |
Explore Des Moines

Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Des Moines Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.
Read ArticleDon'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 ArticleThe 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.
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.
Des Moines, IAPopulation: 216,853
Ranked #101
in US Census Population by City
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
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
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 Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I which is listed at $548, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,943.
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 5,022 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 $309 which is $1,634 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.

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.

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Everything is a negotiation in real estate!

The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters
Written by: Trey Huguley
The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.




