Top Rated Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $400 (72 Rentals)

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Top Rated Apartments in Des Moines.

Cheap Apartments in Des Moines.

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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Park Ridge Apartments
Rent Specials
$825 - $1,300
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$825 - $1,300
Total Monthly Price
$825 - $1,300
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Park Ridge Apartments

3200 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50315
Cost Per Sq.Ft.
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  • Utilities Included

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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Tempo East Village
$1,155 - $4,055
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,155 - $4,055
Total Monthly Price
$1,155 - $4,055
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Tempo East Village

317 E 6th StDes Moines, IA 50309
Corporate Housing
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  • Utilities Included
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The Quarters on 9th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Quarters on 9th

5209 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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The View on Douglas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

The View on Douglas

5626 Douglas AveDes Moines, IA 50310
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920 Meadow Ln
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

920 Meadow Ln

920 Meadow LnDes Moines, IA 50315
  • Utilities Included

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Melbourne IV 55+ Living
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Melbourne IV 55+ Living

5514 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
Senior Living
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The Flats on 56th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Flats on 56th

3710 56th StDes Moines, IA 50310
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421 College Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

421 College Ave

421 College AveDes Moines, IA 50314
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10th Street Lofts
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

10th Street Lofts

110-112 10th StDes Moines, IA 50309
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Luther Park Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Luther Park Apartments

2824 E 16th StDes Moines, IA 50316
Senior Living
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The Flats Apartments
Rent Specials
$768 - $1,148
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$768 - $1,148
Total Monthly Price
Varies
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Flats Apartments

3000 University AveWest Des Moines, IA 50266
Corporate Housing
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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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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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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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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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See the most popular apartments and homes in Des Moines, IA

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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 $675.

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 $1,623.

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 2,438 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 $305 which is $1,318 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 First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.