
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $400 with Utilities Included (188 Rentals)
Apartments with Utilities Included.
Cheap Apartments in Des Moines.


Village Green

The Concord Building

Plymouth Place Retirement Community 62+

Grand Colony

Arlington Hallett

Hampton House Apartments

The Elliott

Beaverdale Housing LLC
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.

Capitol Heights

Pleasant Court

MLK Brickstone Apartments

Welbeck Apartments

Crossroad Apartments

Imperial Grand Prix

Randolph Apartments

Old Main & Drake Apartments

Evergreen Terrace

Village on Grand
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.

Civic Center Court Apartments

Hamilton Apartments

Sunburst

Four Seasons Apartments

Total Monthly Price
Prairie Woods Apartments

Parkside East

Total Monthly Price
Park Ridge Apartments

Newens Dairy Lofts

3000 Grand Apartments

Elmcrest
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.

Deer Ridge

Weston Park Apartments

Historic Wellsport Portwell Flats

The Elmhurst

Total Monthly Price
Woodside Park Apartments

Southbrook Green

High Street Brickstone

Willow Bend

Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes

718 18th St
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.

Alta Casa

Harbach Lofts

University Place Lofts

3274 E Euclid Ave

Flux

Vine Street Lofts

Lofts on 34th

Ashley Square

Park Avenue by Broadmoor

The Edge @ Grays Landing
Who Pays for Utilities? Landlord or Tenant?
Your Guide to Understanding Who is Responsible for Which Utilities for When Renting. Click Below to Read More
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 | $933 | $480 | $1,976 |
| Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,163 | $480 | $2,932 |
| Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,303 | $648 | $4,055 |
| Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,758 | $685 | $3,182 |
| Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,357 | $560 | $2,500 |
Explore Des Moines

Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Des Moines Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease
Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.
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 ArticleReal 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.
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.
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
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 $650.
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 2,626 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 $291 which is $1,332 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

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.

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.

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.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide
Written by: Robin Stewart
Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.
