Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Southwest Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (182 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Southwest 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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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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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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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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property at 2500 Grand Ave

$875

Studio, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

2500 Grand Ave

Des MoinesIA50312

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 4

Southwest Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Southwest Des Moines Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Southwest Des Moines area of Des Moines, IA is a Studio unit found at The Acacia priced from $647. 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 Southwest Des Moines apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The AcaciaStudio - ClassicStudio,1BA$647
The Pointe on Fleur ApartmentsUp to 2 Months Free Rent Call Today!1BR,1BA$675
3119 Grand Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$675
The ElliottStudioStudio,1BA$710
Valley Acres Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$725
East Village SquareSayers - AffordableStudio,1BA$725
Pleasant CourtStudioStudio,1BA$725
Arlington HallettStudio SWStudio,1BA$725
The Ridges1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$740
Grand Colony0 Bed 1 BathStudio,1BA$740

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Southwest Des Moines, IA

As of August 05, 2026 the best value apartment in the Southwest 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 Southwest Des Moines apartment is the 2-Bedroom Model at Fort Des Moines starting at $975 with a $0.97 price per square foot in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Southwest 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
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
River Oaks Apartments2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.97
Ivy IIClassic 2 bed/1 bath2BR,1BA$1.00
3119 Grand Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$0.90
The Pointe on Fleur ApartmentsUp to 2 Months 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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Southwest Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #5

Among cities in Iowa for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Southwest Des Moines, 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 rankings of the best places for outdoor amenities like tennis courts, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, features that make it easier to raise kids, proximity to transit, and much more. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Southwest Des Moines Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Southwest Des Moines?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Southwest Des Moines is under $740.

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

The cheapest apartment in Southwest Des Moines is The Pointe on Fleur Apartments which is listed at $675, while the average apartment in Southwest Des Moines costs $1,194.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Southwest 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 89 regular apartments in Southwest 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 Southwest Des Moines?

Cheap apartments in Southwest Des Moines have an average cost of $186 which is $1,008 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Southwest 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.