Cheap Apartments for Rent in the East End Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $400 (57 Rentals)

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

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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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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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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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

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.

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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
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Legacy Park Apartments
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Legacy Park Apartments

1352 12th StDes Moines, IA 50314
  • Utilities Included

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

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
City Square LoftsS1Studio,1BA$703
East Village SquareSayers - AffordableStudio,1BA$725
Capitol HeightsOne-Bedroom Apartment in a Secure Building – Li...1BR,1BA$725
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$745
Maverick Apartments0/1Studio,1BA$745
The Elliott1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$775
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$795
The LyonStudio (T)Studio,1BA$797

Best Value Apartments for Rent in East End, IA

As of June 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the East End area is the $1.29 price per square foot Market Rate Model at Wilkins Bldg in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,400. The second greatest value East End apartment is the 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Model at The Griffin Building starting at $1,225 with a $1.27 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 ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Wilkins BldgMarket Rate2BR,1BA$1.29
The Griffin Building2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$1.27
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.92
Vine Street Lofts1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.25
Grand Homes (55+ Community)One Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.00
3274 E Euclid Ave2 bed 1 bath2BR,1BA$1.23
The Des Moines Building1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartment1BR,1BA$1.26
Riverview Oaks Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.15
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

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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
East End, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #32

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 $797.

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 $2,420.

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 53 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 $260 which is $2,160 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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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.

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Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.

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Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.