
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Greater South Side Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (139 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Greater South Side area of Des Moines.


The Acacia

Grand Colony

The Pointe on Fleur Apartments

Pioneer Estates

City Square Lofts

The Elliott

Pleasant Court

Arlington Hallett

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.

3607 Ingersoll Ave

3607 Ingersoll Ave

3607 Ingersoll Ave

3607 Ingersoll Ave

The Des Moines Building

Ivy II

Watrous Apartments

Wakonda Village Apartments and Manor

Randolph Apartments

The Fleming Building
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.

Inglewood Apartments

Argonne Apartments

Magnolia Park

Village on Grand

Imperial Grand Prix

Stockbridge Apartments

Civic Center Court Apartments

Hamilton Apartments

Sunburst

Four Seasons Apartments
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.

Total Monthly Price
Park Ridge Apartments

Treehouse Apartments

Jackson Crossing

3000 Grand Apartments

Elmcrest

Court Ave Lofts

R&T Lofts

Reagan House

Historic Wellsport Portwell Flats

Ingersoll FLATS
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.

Ingersoll Towers

High Street Brickstone

The Jefferson

Alta Casa

718 18th St

Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes

Harbach Lofts

The Village at Grays Lake

2701 Ingersoll Ave

Eagle View Lofts/Townhomes
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.
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 | $988 | $640 | $1,791 |
| Greater South Side 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,235 | $675 | $3,136 |
| Greater South Side 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,513 | $747 | $4,055 |
| Greater South Side 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,956 | $1,200 | $2,776 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 139 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
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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 Studio unit found at The Acacia priced from $647. Grand Colony has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $665. Here are the most affordable Greater South Side apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Acacia | Studio - Classic | Studio,1BA | $647 |
| Grand Colony | 0 Bed 1 Bath | Studio,1BA | $665 |
| The Pointe on Fleur Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $675 |
| Pioneer Estates | B1 | 1BR,1BA | $699 |
| City Square Lofts | S1 | Studio,1BA | $703 |
| Pleasant Court | Studio | Studio,1BA | $725 |
| Arlington Hallett | Studio SW | Studio,1BA | $725 |
| East Village Square | Sayers - Affordable | Studio,1BA | $725 |
| Ivy II | Classic 2 bed/1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $747 |
| Watrous Apartments | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $750 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Greater South Side, IA
As of June 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Greater South Side 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 Greater South Side apartment is the 3BR/2.0BA Model at 1201 E Bell Avenue starting at $1,100 with a $0.99 price per square foot in the East 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Meadows Homes | Plan B - two story | 3BR,2BA | $0.93 |
| 1201 E Bell Avenue | 3BR/2.0BA | 3BR,2BA | $0.99 |
| Alta Casa | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $1.14 |
| Finn Apartments | fin-2p | 2BR,2BA | $1.11 |
| Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $0.93 |
| McKinley Apartments | 3BD/1.5BA | 3BR,1.5BA | $0.94 |
| Park Ridge Apartments | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $1.03 |
| Ivy II | Classic 2 bed/1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $1.00 |
| The Pointe on Fleur Apartments | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $0.99 |
| Watrous Apartments | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $1.15 |
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.
Read ArticleReal 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.
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 #10
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 $750.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Greater South Side?
The cheapest apartment in Greater South Side is The Pointe on Fleur Apartments which is listed at $675, while the average apartment in Greater South Side costs $1,917.
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 61 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 $209 which is $1,708 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.

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.

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.

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.