Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Watrous South Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $525 (52 Rentals)

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

property at 1210 West St
$675
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

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
$835 - $925

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$835 - $925

Total Monthly Price$835 - $925
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Park Ridge Apartments

3200 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50315
Affordability
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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.

property at 3315 SE 4th St
$1,000
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

3315 SE 4th St

Des MoinesIA50315
property at 2900 SE 10th St
$1,050

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,050

Total Monthly Price$1,050
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Affordability

2900 SE 10th St

Des MoinesIA50315
property at 3310 SE 5th St
$1,150
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

3310 SE 5th St

Des MoinesIA50315
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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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South View Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

South View Apartments

4221 SE 13th StDes Moines, IA 50315
  • Utilities Included
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Cedar Crest Apartments
2 Bedroom Apartments

Cedar Crest Apartments

3722-3726 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
  • Utilities Included
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The Quarters on 9th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Quarters on 9th

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

920 Meadow Ln

920 Meadow LnDes Moines, IA 50315
  • Utilities Included
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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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McKinley Apartments
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

McKinley Apartments

315 E McKinley AveDes 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

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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Southview Manor
1 Bedroom Apartments

Southview Manor

2417 SW 9th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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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Southridge Senior Lofts
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Southridge Senior Lofts

695 E Army Post RdDes Moines, IA 50315
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included
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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
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Stanton Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Stanton Apartments

2200 Stanton AveDes Moines, IA 50321
  • 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.

Watrous South, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Watrous South Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Watrous South area of Des Moines, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Valley Acres Apartments priced from $675. 1201 E Bell Avenue has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $725. Here are the most affordable Watrous South apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Valley Acres Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$675
1201 E Bell Avenue1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$725
McKinley Apartments2BD/2BA2BR,2BA$725
Ivy IIClassic 2 bed/1 bath2BR,1BA$747
The Hampton Meadows1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$750
The Pointe on Fleur Apartments2 Bedroom Apartment-One Month Free rent Call fo...2BR,1BA$750
Watrous ApartmentsA11BR,1BA$750
Goldbriar Chateau2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$795
Wakonda Village Apartments and ManorA2wv_MANOR1BR,1BA$810
The Village at Grays Lake1 BR Oak1BR,1BA$835

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Watrous South, IA

As of September 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Watrous South 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 Watrous South 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 Watrous South 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$0.86
Willow Bend2 Bedroom 2 Bath2BR,2BA$1.03
Goldbriar Chateau2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom2BR,1BA$0.88
The Pointe on Fleur Apartments2 Bedroom Apartment-One Month Free rent Call fo...2BR,1BA$0.85
The JeffersonJefferson unrenovated 2 bed 1 bath2BR,1BA$1.01
Valley Acres Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$1.04

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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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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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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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

This website is proud to bring you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Watrous South, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for the best proximity to parks and outdoor amenities, luxury housing options, pet-friendly features, features that make it easier to raise kids, proximity to transit, and other valuable search options. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Watrous South Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Watrous South?

The cheapest apartment in Watrous South is Valley Acres Apartments which is listed at $675, while the average apartment in Watrous South costs $910.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Watrous South?

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 2 regular apartments in Watrous South that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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 Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My! article

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

decorative image for Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags   article

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.