Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Capitol East Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $400 (58 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Capitol East area of Des Moines.

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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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.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

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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.

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421 College Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

421 College Ave

421 College AveDes Moines, IA 50314
  • 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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Capitol East, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Capitol East Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Capitol East area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Pioneer Estates priced from $699. East Village Square has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $725. Here are the most affordable Capitol East apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Pioneer EstatesB11BR,1BA$699
East Village SquareSayers - AffordableStudio,1BA$725
Capitol HeightsOne-Bedroom Apartment in a Secure Building – Li...1BR,1BA$725
Maverick Apartments0/1Studio,1BA$745
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$745
The Elliott1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$775
Civic Center Court ApartmentsStudio - Apply NowStudio,1BA$800
The Scott at East VillageStudioStudio,1BA$826
Court Ave LoftsCA-A11BR,1BA$850
R&T LoftsBylineStudio,1BA$850

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Capitol East, IA

As of June 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the Capitol East area is the $1.41 price per square foot C1 Model at 7th Street Brownstones in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $2,199. The second greatest value Capitol East apartment is the Market Rate Model at Wilkins Bldg starting at $1,400 with a $1.29 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Capitol East apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
7th Street BrownstonesC13BR,2.5BA$1.41
Wilkins BldgMarket Rate2BR,1BA$1.29
The Griffin Building2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$1.27
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.15
Rumely Lofts1 Bedroom Income Restricted1BR,1BA$1.33
800-828 Hartford Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$1.37
The Des Moines Building1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartment1BR,1BA$1.28
Metro Lofts1 Bedroom - Market1BR,1BA$1.41
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.15
Pioneer EstatesB11BR,1BA$1.40

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

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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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Capitol East, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #20

Among cities in Iowa for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Capitol East, Des Moines, IA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, areas, and rental properties across Iowa including Capitol East, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. Our Lifestyle Ratings help you zero-in on the perfect place to call home. This takes in many factors including rankings of the best places for proximity to parks, luxury amenities, features that make it easier to raise kids, raising pets, transit options, and more. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Capitol East Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Capitol East?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Capitol East is under $850.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Capitol East?

The cheapest apartment in Capitol East is Pioneer Estates which is listed at $699, while the average apartment in Capitol East costs $2,224.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Capitol East?

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 57 regular apartments in Capitol East 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 Capitol East?

Cheap apartments in Capitol East have an average cost of $197 which is $2,027 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Capitol East.

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.

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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.

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

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.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.