Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (65 Rentals)

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

property at 732 19th St

$595

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314
property at 732 19th St

$625

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314
property at 732 19th St

$725

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314

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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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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 732 19th St priced from $625. The Concord Building has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $630. Here are the most affordable Downtown Des Moines apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
732 19th St1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR,1BA$625
The Concord BuildingStudioStudio,1BA$630
Arlington HallettStudio EastStudio,1BA$695
The ElliottStudioStudio,1BA$710
Pleasant CourtStudioStudio,1BA$725
Stockbridge ApartmentsAppling1BR,1BA$800
Civic Center Court ApartmentsStudio - Apply NowStudio,1BA$800
The Scott at East VillageStudioStudio,1BA$845
722 18th St1x11BR,1BA$845
Court Ave LoftsCA-A1 - Income Restricted1BR,1BA$847

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Des Moines, IA

As of July 16, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Des Moines area is the $1.27 price per square foot 6 Beds, 3.5 Baths Model at 669 17th St in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $4,200. The second greatest value Downtown Des Moines apartment is the C3 Model at 5Fifty5 starting at $2,758 with a $1.25 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.
669 17th St6 Beds, 3.5 Baths6BR,3.5BA$1.27
5Fifty5C33BR,2.5BA$1.25
Matilda 235 TownhomesB22BR,2.5BA$1.14
The ElmhurstModel A2BR,2BA$1.00
Wilkins BldgMarket Rate2BR,1BA$1.31
Union at Rivers Edge2 Bed 2 Bath2BR,2BA$1.30
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.10
High Street BrickstoneOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.26
722 18th St1x11BR,1BA$1.21
The Concord BuildingStudioStudio ,1BA$1.33

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
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #15

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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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.

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 $847.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Des Moines is 732 19th St which is listed at $625, while the average apartment in Downtown Des Moines costs $2,125.

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 54 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 $177 which is $1,948 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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 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

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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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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.