Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Fort Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (61 Rentals)

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

property at 1210 West St

$675

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

1210 West St

Des MoinesIA50315

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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Park Ridge Apartments
Rent Specials
$825 - $925
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$825 - $925
Total Monthly Price
$825 - $925
2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Park Ridge Apartments

3200 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50315
Cost Per Sq.Ft.
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  • Utilities Included

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

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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property at 3315 SE 4th St

$1,000

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

3315 SE 4th St

Des MoinesIA50315
property at 2900 SE 10th St

$1,050

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,050
Total Monthly Price
$1,050

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

2900 SE 10th St

Des MoinesIA50315

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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Meredith Homes
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Meredith Homes

3716 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50320
Senior Living
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Libertad Des Moines
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Libertad Des Moines

4421 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
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Cedar Crest Apartments
2 Bedroom Apartments

Cedar Crest Apartments

3722-3726 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
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South View Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

South View Apartments

4221 SE 13th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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The Quarters on 9th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Quarters on 9th

5209 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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920 Meadow Ln
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

920 Meadow Ln

920 Meadow LnDes Moines, IA 50315
  • 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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Casady Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Casady Apartments

1910-1914 Casady DrDes Moines, IA 50315
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Community Homes
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Community Homes

5301 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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1201 E Bell Avenue
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

1201 E Bell Avenue

1201 E Bell AveDes Moines, IA 50315
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Melbourne IV 55+ Living
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Melbourne IV 55+ Living

5514 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
Senior Living
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6920 SW 9th St
2 Bedroom Apartments

6920 SW 9th St

6920 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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McKinley Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

McKinley Apartments

315 E McKinley AveDes Moines, IA 50315
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Southridge Senior Lofts
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Southridge Senior Lofts

695 E Army Post RdDes Moines, IA 50315
Senior Living
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Christ the King II
2 Bedroom Apartments

Christ the King II

5602 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
Senior Living
  • 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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Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Fort Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Fort Des Moines area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Valley Acres Apartments priced from $650. The Pointe on Fleur Apartments has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $675. Here are the most affordable Fort Des Moines apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Valley Acres Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$650
The Pointe on Fleur ApartmentsOne Month Free Rent Call Today!1BR,1BA$675
Park Forest1x1 6301BR,1BA$705
1201 E Bell Avenue1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$725
Sutton HillA11BR,1BA$730
The Ridges1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$740
Ivy IIClassic 2 bed/1 bath2BR,1BA$747
The Hampton Meadows1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$750
MelbourneB2 - 40 - Income Restricted2BR,2BA$813
Wakonda Village Apartments and ManorA2wv_MANOR1BR,1BA$820

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Fort Des Moines, IA

As of August 07, 2026 the best value apartment in the Fort Des Moines area is the $0.93 price per square foot Plan B - two story Model at Southern Meadows Homes in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,275. The second greatest value Fort Des Moines apartment is the 3 Bedroom Model at The Meadows starting at $995 with a $0.95 price per square foot in the Somerset neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Fort Des Moines apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Southern Meadows HomesPlan B - two story3BR,2BA$0.93
The Meadows3 Bedroom3BR,2BA$0.95
Fort Des Moines2-Bedroom2BR,2BA$0.97
Magnolia Park2 Bed /2 Bath2BR,2BA$0.85
Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.93
McKinley Apartments3BD/2BA3BR,2BA$0.94
Goldbriar Chateau2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.96
Park Ridge Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.97
Ivy IIClassic 2 bed/1 bath2BR,1BA$1.00
The Pointe on Fleur ApartmentsOne Month Free Rent Call Today!1BR,1BA$0.99

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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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals in metropolitan areas across the United States including Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, in addition to floorplans, availablity, and pricing. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Fort Des Moines Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Fort Des Moines?

The cheapest apartment in Fort Des Moines is Valley Acres Apartments which is listed at $650, while the average apartment in Fort Des Moines costs $919.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Fort Des Moines?

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 15 regular apartments in Fort Des Moines 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 Fort Des Moines?

Cheap apartments in Fort Des Moines have an average cost of $190 which is $729 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Fort Des Moines.

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 First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

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.