
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Greater South Side Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $300 (128 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Greater South Side area of Des Moines.


The Acacia

Stockbridge Apartments

Arlington Hallett

Pioneer Estates

Civic Center Court Apartments

The Des Moines Building

The Elliott

Argonne Apartments

East Village Square
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.

Pleasant Court

The Pointe on Fleur Apartments

Ivy II

Treehouse Apartments

Wakonda Village and Manor Apartment Homes

Watrous Apartments

Magnolia Park

Total Monthly Price
Park Ridge Apartments

Randolph Apartments

City Square Lofts
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.

Sunburst

Inglewood Apartments

Village on Grand

The Griffin Building

Hamilton Apartments

Imperial Grand Prix

The Fleming Building

Four Seasons Apartments

Elmcrest

Jackson Crossing
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.

Court Ave Lofts

Goldbriar Chateau

Reagan House

Historic Wellsport Portwell Flats

Flux

1013 1/2 Kenyon Ave

Ingersoll FLATS

The Edge @ Grays Landing

The Jefferson

High Street Brickstone
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.

Madison Flats

Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes

Finn Apartments

The Village at Gray's Lake Apartments - Des Moines

907 SE 9th St

910 E Railroad Ave

Cityville

Rowat Lofts Apartments

R&T Lofts

Total Monthly Price
713 20th St, Unit 1919-2, Unit 1919-2
Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs
Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.
Greater South Side, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Greater South Side?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater South Side Studio Apartments | $999 | $600 | $1,830 |
| Greater South Side 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,275 | $640 | $3,320 |
| Greater South Side 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,424 | $747 | $2,967 |
| Greater South Side 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,969 | $1,025 | $4,378 |
| Greater South Side 4 Bedroom Apartments | $17,854 | $10,000 | $10,000+ |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 128 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Greater South Side Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.
See all Apartments in Des MoinesExplore Des Moines
Greater South Side, Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Nearby Des Moines neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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Cheapest Available Greater South Side Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Greater South Side area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Mezzo on Walnut priced from $350. Plymouth Place Retirement Community 62+ has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $600. Here are the most affordable Greater South Side apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mezzo on Walnut | Aria 3 | 1BR,1BA | $350 |
| Plymouth Place Retirement Community 62+ | Studio - Retirement Community | Studio,1BA | $600 |
| The Acacia | Studio - Classic | Studio,1BA | $647 |
| Stockbridge Apartments | 1x1 670-700 | 1BR,1BA | $650 |
| The Brady Apartments | 0BR/1.0BA | Studio,1BA | $695 |
| Pioneer Estates | B1 | 1BR,1BA | $699 |
| McKinley Apartments | 1BD/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $699 |
| The Des Moines Building | Studio | Studio,1BA | $705 |
| The Elliott | Studio | Studio,1BA | $710 |
| Argonne Apartments | Studio B | Studio,1BA | $724 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Greater South Side, IA
As of April 30, 2026 the best value apartment in the Greater South Side area is the $0.75 price per square foot 2 BR/ 1 BA Model at 3612 Ingersoll Ave in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,200. The second greatest value Greater South Side apartment is the 3 Bed | 2 Bath Model at 3000 Grand Apartments starting at $1,405 with a $1.02 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Greater South Side apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3612 Ingersoll Ave | 2 BR/ 1 BA | 2BR,1BA | $0.75 |
| 3000 Grand Apartments | 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 3BR,2BA | $1.02 |
| Southern Meadows Homes | Plan B - two story | 3BR,2BA | $0.93 |
| Finn Apartments | fin-2r | 2BR,2BA | $0.92 |
| 560 29th St | 560 29th St | 2BR,1BA | $0.98 |
| Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $0.93 |
| Goldbriar Chateau | 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $0.94 |
| 1201 E Bell Avenue | 2BR/1.0BA | 2BR,1BA | $0.94 |
| Stockbridge Apartments | 1x1 670-700 | 1BR,1BA | $0.93 |
| McKinley Apartments | 1BD/1BA | 1BR,1BA | $1.02 |
10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease
Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.
Read ArticleDon'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.
Read ArticleThe Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.
Read ArticleCash 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleGreater South Side, Des Moines, IA
Ranked #11
Among cities in Iowa for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
4.0Pet Friendly
Best Local Schools in Greater South Side, Des Moines, IA
Brody Middle School
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Greater South Side, 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 searching for the best amenities, and the best outdoor access, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, apartment communities for the kids, walking, and biking. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Greater South Side Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Greater South Side?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Greater South Side is under $724.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Greater South Side?
The cheapest apartment in Greater South Side is Mezzo on Walnut which is listed at $350, while the average apartment in Greater South Side costs $17,854.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Greater South Side?
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 82 regular apartments in Greater South Side 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 Greater South Side?
Cheap apartments in Greater South Side have an average cost of $145 which is $17,709 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Greater South Side.
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

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.

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.