Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Drake University Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (43 Rentals)

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

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Harrington Studios
Studio Apartments

Harrington Studios

677 16th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included
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3809 University Ave
Studio Apartments

3809 University Ave

3809 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Drake Collection
1 Bedroom Apartments

Drake Collection

2931 Cottage Grove AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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The Flats on 21st
1 Bedroom Apartments

The Flats on 21st

1313 21st StDes Moines, IA 50311
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Twin Manor
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Twin Manor

720 17th StDes Moines, IA 50314
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Kingman Gardens
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Kingman Gardens

3010 Kingman BlvdDes Moines, IA 50311
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Drake Pointe
1 Bedroom Apartments

Drake Pointe

1101 25th StDes Moines, IA 50311
Student Housing
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Concord Apartments
Studio Apartments

Concord Apartments

732 18th StDes Moines, IA 50314
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University Park Place
2 Bedroom Apartments

University Park Place

3725-3727 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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718 18th St
1 Bedroom Apartments

718 18th St

718 18th StDes Moines, IA 50314
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Flats on Pleasant
2 Bedroom Apartments

Flats on Pleasant

1913-1915 Pleasant StDes Moines, IA 50314
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Drake Terrace
2 Bedroom Apartments

Drake Terrace

1100 24th StDes Moines, IA 50311
Student Housing
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Showing Results 1-43, Page 1 of 1

Drake University, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Drake University Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Drake University area of Des Moines, IA is a Studio unit found at Village Green priced from $600. Beaverdale Housing LLC has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $710. Here are the most affordable Drake University apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Village GreenStudioStudio,1BA$600
Beaverdale Housing LLCStudioStudio,1BA$710
Kingman Gardens1BR1BR,1BA$715
Pleasant CourtStudioStudio,1BA$725
Woodland Avenue Brickstone1x1 6301BR,1BA$730
MLK Brickstone ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$730
The Brady Apartments0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$775
Concord ApartmentsStudio 3Studio,1BA$795
Four Seasons ApartmentsJr One Bedroom Furnished1BR,1BA$815

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Drake University, IA

As of July 13, 2025 the best value apartment in the Drake University area is the $1.30 price per square foot B2 Model at Matilda 235 Townhomes in the in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood starting from $2,795. The second greatest value Drake University apartment is the Model A Model at The Elmhurst starting at $1,300 with a $1.00 price per square foot in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Drake University apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Matilda 235 TownhomesB22BR,2.5BA$1.30
The ElmhurstModel A2BR,2BA$1.00
2813 Cottage Grove Ave2 bed2BR,1BA$0.82
681 18th St, Unit 681681 18th St2BR,1BA$1.32
Kingman Gardens2BR2BR,1BA$1.13
The Drake ApartmentsC22BR,1BA$1.24
Woodland Avenue Brickstone1x1 6301BR,1BA$1.08
MLK Brickstone ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.12
University Village1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.39
The Grove at Hickman1x11BR,1BA$1.43

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
Drake University, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #57

Among neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

This website compiles millions of data points to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in cities across the United States including Drake University, 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 filtering automatically for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury housing options, family-friendly amenities, raising pets, transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Drake University Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Drake University?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Drake University is under $815.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Drake University?

The cheapest apartment in Drake University is Kingman Gardens which is listed at $715, while the average apartment in Drake University costs $1,300.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Drake University?

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 regular apartments in Drake University 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 Drake University?

Cheap apartments in Drake University have an average cost of $1,022 which is $278 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Drake University.

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.

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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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.