Cheap Homes for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $500 (53 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in 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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property at 2537 Lynner Dr

$800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$800
Total Monthly Price
$800

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

2537 Lynner Dr

Des MoinesIA50310

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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property at 5706 South Union St

$950

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$950
Total Monthly Price
$950

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Jul 1

5706 South Union St

Des MoinesIA50315
property at 3841 69th St

$975 - $1,200

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$975 - $1,200
Total Monthly Price
$975 - $1,200

1 To 2 Bedroom Townhomes for Rent

Available Now

3841 69th St

UrbandaleIA50322

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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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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Des Moines, IA

Pricing Updated: 06/27/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Des Moines, IA area range in price from $480 to $4,327 with an overall median price of $1,623. The three Des Moines neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are East Des Moines at $699, River Bend at $480, and Fairmont Park at $597. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Des Moines Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
East Des Moines$930$69922
River Bend$960$4802
Fairmont Park$1,037$59742
North of Grand$1,082$6409
Accent$1,100$59728
Douglas Acres$1,122$59753
Campus Park Wrights Grove$1,145$48021
Sheridan Gardens$1,160$79561
Salisbury Oaks$1,175$595239
Frisbie Park$1,179$595167

Cheapest Available Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I in the Green Meadows West neighborhood priced from $548. Highland Park Apartments in the Grandview College Area neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $597. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Des Moines apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$548
Highland Park ApartmentsStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
Highland Park ManorStandard 1 Bed1BR,1BA$597
Village GreenStudioStudio,1BA$600
732 19th St1 Beds, 1 Baths1BR,1BA$625
The Concord BuildingStudioStudio,1BA$630
The AcaciaStudio - ClassicStudio,1BA$647
Douglas Oaks0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$650
Valley Acres Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$650
Urban Heights0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$650

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA

As of June 27, 2026 the best value apartment in the Des Moines area is the $0.77 price per square foot Four bed Model at Prairie Trails in the in the Hayes Acres neighborhood starting from $2,300. The second greatest value Des Moines apartment is the Elm St - Ranch Finished Basement Model at Elm St Villas starting at $2,600 with a $0.94 price per square foot in the Hayes Acres neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Des Moines apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Prairie TrailsFour bed4BR,3BA$0.77
Elm St VillasElm St - Ranch Finished Basement3BR,3BA$0.94
Normandy Terrace Apartments2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath2BR,1.5BA$0.60
Southern Meadows HomesPlan B - two story3BR,2BA$0.93
Magnolia Park2 Bed /2 Bath2BR,2BA$0.80
Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.93
McKinley Apartments3BD/1.5BA3BR,1.5BA$0.94
Northtown Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.92
Douglas Park Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.94
Johnston Crossing Senior Apartments I1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$0.80

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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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Des Moines, IA Rentals by Map

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Des Moines, IA Area Reviews

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Joseph • 4+ years in Des Moines

May 14, 2025

Many residents prefer the western suburbs or more distant communities like Indianola, Boone, Ames, or Newton. Certainly those are all viable options.I would never pick Des Moines for its schools, for example. But the city has many fine neighborhoods which are worth a look.

Frequently Asked Questions about Des Moines

What type of rentals are currently available in Des Moines?

There are currently 1292 Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA with pricing that ranges from $480 to $4,055. There are also 251 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Des Moines ranging from $550 to $4,500.

What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Des Moines?

Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Des Moines ranges from $550 to $4,500 with an average monthly rent of $2,044.

How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Des Moines?

For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Des Moines range from $685 to $3,182, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $1,100 to $2,400. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $1,695 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $560.

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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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.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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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.