Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Capitol East Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $400 (55 Rentals)

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

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property at 802 SE 10th St

$975

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

802 SE 10th St

Des MoinesIA50309

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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property at 917 Maury St

$975

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

917 Maury St

Des MoinesIA50309

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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421 College Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

421 College Ave

421 College AveDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included
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Legacy Park Apartments
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Legacy Park Apartments

1352 12th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included

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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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. The Elliott has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $710. Here are the most affordable Capitol East apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Pioneer EstatesB11BR,1BA$699
The ElliottStudioStudio,1BA$710
Capitol HeightsCapitol Heights Apartments – Renovated 1 Bedroo...1BR,1BA$725
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$745
Maverick Apartments1/11BR,1BA$799
Randolph ApartmentsThe WarrenStudio,1BA$799
The ParkerAnna1BR,1BA$835
Eagle View Lofts/TownhomesA2 - Income Restricted1BR,1BA$856
East Village SquareAndre -Affordable1BR,1BA$900

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Capitol East, IA

As of August 07, 2026 the best value apartment in the Capitol East area is the $1.31 price per square foot Market Rate Model at Wilkins Bldg in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,400. The second greatest value Capitol East apartment is the CA-C4 Income Restricted Model at Court Ave Lofts starting at $1,297 with a $1.30 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.
Wilkins BldgMarket Rate2BR,1BA$1.31
Court Ave LoftsCA-C4 Income Restricted2BR,2BA$1.30
Union at Rivers Edge2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$1.30
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.18
Riverview Oaks Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$1.00
Rumely Lofts1 Bedroom Income Restricted1BR,1BA$1.33
The Scott at East VillageTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.38
800-828 Hartford Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$1.37
Maverick Apartments1/11BR,1BA$1.18
1614 Arlington Ave, Unit 41614 Arlington Ave1BR,1BA$1.31

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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Capitol East, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #19

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 $900.

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 $1,277.

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 47 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 $172 which is $1,105 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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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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.

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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.