
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East End Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $400 (42 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the East End area of Des Moines.


3419 1st St

2826 Oxford St

3225 5th Ave

East Village Square

Civic Center Court Apartments

The Des Moines Building
Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls
When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

The Scott at East Village

Randolph Apartments

Grand Homes (55+ Community)

The Griffin Building

City Square Lofts

R&T Lofts

The Fleming Building
The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour
Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

1908 Arlington Ave, Unit 3

1908 Arlington Ave

The Flats at Highland Park Apartments

Rivers Run

Court Ave Lofts

Rowat Lofts

The Parker @ Seventh

418 East Grand

The Lyon

Vine Street Lofts
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Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
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East End, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in East End?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
East End Studio Apartments | $1,021 | $450 | $1,595 |
East End 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,206 | $650 | $2,365 |
East End 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,432 | $647 | $2,557 |
East End 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,735 | $870 | $3,239 |
East End 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,798 | $1,322 | $4,609 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 42 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the East End Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.
See all Apartments in Des MoinesExplore Des Moines
East End, Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Nearby Des Moines neighborhoods
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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 (DSM) priced from $547. Riverview Oaks Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $625. Here are the most affordable East End apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Highland Park Apartments (DSM) | Standard 1 Bed | 1BR,1BA | $547 |
Riverview Oaks Apartments | Studio | Studio,1BA | $625 |
The Aspen | Standard 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $647 |
Northtown Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $675 |
East Village Square | Studio 390-392 | Studio,1BA | $725 |
The Des Moines Building | S1 | Studio,1BA | $756 |
The Scott at East Village | Studio | Studio,1BA | $767 |
The Elliott | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $775 |
Grand Homes (55+ Community) | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $800 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in East End, IA
As of June 21, 2025 the best value apartment in the East End area is the $0.81 price per square foot 2 Bedroom - Affordable Model at Vine Street Lofts in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $957. The second greatest value East End apartment is the CA-C4 Income Restricted Model at Court Ave Lofts starting at $1,080 with a $1.09 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for East End apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Vine Street Lofts | 2 Bedroom - Affordable | 2BR,2BA | $0.81 |
Court Ave Lofts | CA-C4 Income Restricted | 2BR,2BA | $1.09 |
The Aspen | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,2BA | $0.95 |
Wilkins Bldg | Market Rate | 1BR,1BA | $1.30 |
The Griffin Building | 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $1.14 |
Grand Homes (55+ Community) | One Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.00 |
Rivers Run | New Vibe 2 Bedrooms | 2BR,1BA | $1.37 |
Northtown Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.17 |
Riverview Oaks Apartments | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $1.14 |
Highland Park Apartments (DSM) | Studio | Studio ,1BA | $1.44 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
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Pet Friendly LifestyleEast End, Des Moines, IA
Ranked #25
Among neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in East End, Des Moines, IA
Garton Elementary
East High School
Hiatt Middle School
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!
Getting Around the East End Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
Walk Score®
34 / 100
Car-Dependent
Most errands require a car
Bike Score®
33 / 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Minimal bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
24 / 100
Minimal Transit
It may be possible to get on a bus
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 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 $800.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in East End?
The cheapest apartment in East End is Highland Park Apartments (DSM) which is listed at $547, while the average apartment in East End costs $2,461.
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 24 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 $204 which is $2,257 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in East End.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.