Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Drake University Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $550 (74 Rentals)

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

property at 732 19th St
$550
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314
property at 732 19th St
$550
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314
property at 732 19th St
$550
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

732 19th St

Des MoinesIA50314
property at 1123 24th St
$695
Studio, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1123 24th St

Des MoinesIA50311
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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

property at 1314 22nd St
$695
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1314 22nd St

Des MoinesIA50311
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property at 1108 25th St
$700
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

1108 25th St

Des MoinesIA50311
property at 1314 22nd St
$725
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1314 22nd St

Des MoinesIA50311

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

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property at 1123 24th St
$780
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1123 24th St

Des MoinesIA50311
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property at 1300 34th St
$799 - $825
2 Bedroom Rentals
Available Oct 14
Affordability

1300 34th St

Des MoinesIA50311
property at 1260 34th St
$825
2 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

1260 34th St

Des MoinesIA50311

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.

property at 1122 27th St
$900 - $1,300

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$900 - $1,300

Total Monthly Price$900 - $1,300
2 To 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

1122 27th St

Des MoinesIA50311
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Harrington Studios
Studio Apartments

Harrington Studios

677 16th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included
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732 19th St
1 Bedroom Apartments

732 19th St

732 19th StDes Moines, IA 50314
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3809 University Ave
Studio Apartments

3809 University Ave

3809 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
  • Utilities Included

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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3309 University Ave
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

3309 University Ave

3309 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Drake Collection
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Drake Collection

2931 Cottage Grove AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Twin Manor
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Twin Manor

720 17th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included
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1314 22nd St
1 Bedroom Apartments

1314 22nd St

1314 22nd StDes Moines, IA 50311
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1123 24th
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

1123 24th

1123 24thDes Moines, IA 50311

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.

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 1 Bed unit found at 732 19th St priced from $550. Drake West Village has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $599. Here are the most affordable Drake University apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
732 19th St1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR, 1BA$550
Drake West Village4 Bed - 2 Bath4BR, 2BA$599
3309 University Ave0BR/1.0BAStudio, 1BA$600
The Concord BuildingStudioStudio, 1BA$630
1314 22nd St1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR, 1BA$695
Canary LoftsStudio AStudio, 1BA$695
1123 24th0 Beds, 1 BathsStudio, 1BA$695
The Grove at Hickman1x11BR, 1BA$695
Lofts on 34th0BR/1.0BAStudio, 1BA$699
Cottage Grove Corner1BR/1.0BA1BR, 1BA$700

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Drake University, IA

As of September 22, 2026 the best value apartment in the Drake University area is the $1.10 price per square foot B2 Model at Matilda 235 Townhomes in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood starting from $2,350. The second greatest value Drake University apartment is the Model A Model at The Elmhurst in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood starting at $1,300 with a $1.00 price per square foot. 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$1.10
The ElmhurstModel A2BR, 2BA$1.00
3120 Cottage Grove Ave, Unit 13120 Cottage Grove Ave3BR, 1BA$1.18
Pleasant Street Apartments2 bed 1 bath2BR, 1BA$1.13
University Place Lofts2 Bed 1 Bath2BR, 1BA$1.00
713 20th St, Unit 1915-3713 20th St2BR, 1BA$0.99
2820-2822 Kingman Blvd1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR, 1BA$0.99
1118 26th Street1BR/1.0BA1BR, 1BA$1.06
722 18th St1x11BR, 1BA$1.21
MLK Brickstone ApartmentsOne Bedroom1BR, 1BA$1.12

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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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
Drake University, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #67

Among cities in Iowa 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 $700.

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

The cheapest apartment in Drake University is 732 19th St which is listed at $550, while the average apartment in Drake University costs $975.

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 16 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 $382 which is $593 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Drake University.

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.

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How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis

Written by: Robin Stewart

Many housing markets throughout America share a common complaint: a lack of affordable rental properties.

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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.