Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (61 Rentals)

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

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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Maxwell
Rent Specials
$900 - $1,650Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Contact Us For Availability

Maxwell

915 Mulberry StDes Moines, IA 50309
Corporate Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • Utilities Included

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Harrington Studios
Studio Apartments

Harrington Studios

677 16th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included

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Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Des Moines area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Stockbridge Apartments priced from $650. The Fleming Building has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $695. Here are the most affordable Downtown Des Moines apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Stockbridge Apartments1x1 670-7001BR,1BA$650
The Fleming Building#2 - StudioStudio,1BA$695
The Brady Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$725
Pleasant CourtStudioStudio,1BA$725
City Square LoftsS1Studio,1BA$755
418 East GrandStudio - The FlowStudio,1BA$755
Woodland Avenue Brickstone1x1 6301BR,1BA$775
The Elliott1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$775
The Lyon1 Bed Standard (T): Floors 1-21BR,1BA$777
The Des Moines BuildingS1Studio,1BA$795

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Des Moines, IA

As of November 29, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Des Moines area is the $1.00 price per square foot Model A Model at The Elmhurst in the in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,300. The second greatest value Downtown Des Moines apartment is the Income Restricted Model at Wilkins Bldg starting at $1,150 with a $1.06 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Des Moines apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The ElmhurstModel A2BR,2BA$1.00
Wilkins BldgIncome Restricted2BR,1BA$1.06
Court Ave LoftsCA-C72BR,1.5BA$1.13
Woodland Avenue Brickstone2x1 8502BR,1BA$1.19
713 20th St, Unit 1915-2713 20th St2BR,1BA$1.00
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.23
Madison Flats1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.15
722 18th St1x11BR,1BA$1.21
Stockbridge Apartments1x1 670-7001BR,1BA$0.93
East Village Square1x1-6761BR,1BA$1.26

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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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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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com works hard to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and proximity to parks, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, family-friendly amenities, and much more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Getting Around the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

Walk Score®

76 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

57 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

59 / 100

Good Transit

Many 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Des Moines Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Des Moines?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Des Moines is under $795.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Des Moines?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Des Moines is Stockbridge Apartments which is listed at $650, while the average apartment in Downtown Des Moines costs $6,751.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 56 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Des Moines?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Des Moines have an average cost of $230 which is $6,521 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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.

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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 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.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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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.