Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East End Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $400 (59 Rentals)

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

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.

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

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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 4133 2nd Ave

$1,100

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

4133 2nd Ave

Des MoinesIA50313
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Highland Park Manor
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Highland Park Manor

3717 6th AveDes Moines, IA 50313
Senior Living
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3419 1st St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

3419 1st St

3419 1st StDes Moines, IA 50313

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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Eastview Manor
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Eastview Manor

3700 E 31st StDes Moines, IA 50317
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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Grand Heights
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Grand Heights

3315 E 15th StDes Moines, IA 50316
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421 College Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

421 College Ave

421 College AveDes 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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East End, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available East End Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the East End area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Highland Park Apartments priced from $597. Highland Park Manor has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $597. Here are the most affordable East End apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Highland Park ApartmentsStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
Highland Park ManorStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
The ElliottStudioStudio,1BA$710
Capitol HeightsCapitol Heights Apartments – Renovated 1 Bedroo...1BR,1BA$725
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$745
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$795
Maverick Apartments1/11BR,1BA$799
Grand Homes (55+ Community)One Bedroom1BR,1BA$800
The Scott at East VillageStudioStudio,1BA$842

Best Value Apartments for Rent in East End, IA

As of July 29, 2026 the best value apartment in the East End area is the $1.30 price per square foot CA-C4 Income Restricted Model at Court Ave Lofts in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,297. The second greatest value East End apartment is the 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Model at Northtown Apartments starting at $795 with a $0.92 price per square foot in the Grandview College Area neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for East End apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Court Ave LoftsCA-C4 Income Restricted2BR,2BA$1.30
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.92
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.14
Grand Homes (55+ Community)One Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.00
The AspenCypress Deluxe (W/D)2BR,1BA$1.21
Maverick Apartments1/11BR,1BA$1.18
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.15
1614 Arlington Ave, Unit 41614 Arlington Ave1BR,1BA$1.31
Highland Park ApartmentsStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$1.09
Highland Park ManorStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$1.09

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
East End, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #29

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
East End, Des Moines, IA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving.com compiles millions of data points to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in cities and towns across the United States, including Des Moines. Our Lifestyle Ratings help you zero-in on the perfect place to call home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, places that make kids happy, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap East End Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in East End?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in East End is under $842.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in East End?

The cheapest apartment in East End is Highland Park Apartments which is listed at $597, while the average apartment in East End costs $2,395.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in East End?

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 34 regular apartments in East End 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 East End?

Cheap apartments in East End have an average cost of $199 which is $2,196 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in East End.

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 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

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.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

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.