
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Watrous South Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $525 (52 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Watrous South area of Des Moines.


1210 West St

Valley Acres Apartments

The Ridges

Ivy II

The Hampton Meadows

The Pointe on Fleur Apartments

Watrous Apartments

Goldbriar Chateau

Sunburst
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.

Wakonda Village Apartments and Manor

The Village at Grays Lake

Total Monthly Price
Park Ridge Apartments

Willow Bend

Magnolia Park

The Jefferson

Elmcrest

The Oaks

Finn Apartments

Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes
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.

Somerset

1106 Virginia Ave

3315 SE 4th St

2900 SE 10th St

Park Indy Rowhomes!

4800 SW 3rd St

332 McKinley Ave

502 Hart Ave

3310 SE 5th St

3810-3812 SW 3rd St
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.

Flats on 5th

South View Apartments

Cedar Crest Apartments

The Quarters on 9th

920 Meadow Ln

Casady Apartments

Southern Park Apartments

Community Homes

McKinley Apartments

1201 E Bell Avenue
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.

Southview Manor

Bell Terrace Apartments

6920 SW 9th St

Southridge Senior Lofts

Christ the King II

Southwinds Apartments

Brookside Apartments

Stanton Apartments

4922 SW 14th St

1211 Lewis Ave
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

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Watrous South?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watrous South Studio Apartments | $622 | $525 | $720 |
| Watrous South 1 Bedroom Apartments | $861 | $675 | $1,203 |
| Watrous South 2 Bedroom Apartments | $973 | $747 | $1,433 |
| Watrous South 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,337 | $1,275 | $1,375 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 52 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Watrous South Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.
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Watrous South, Des Moines, IA Local Guide
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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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Acres Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $675 |
| 1201 E Bell Avenue | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $725 |
| McKinley Apartments | 2BD/2BA | 2BR,2BA | $725 |
| Ivy II | Classic 2 bed/1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $747 |
| The Hampton Meadows | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $750 |
| The Pointe on Fleur Apartments | 2 Bedroom Apartment-One Month Free rent Call fo... | 2BR,1BA | $750 |
| Watrous Apartments | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $750 |
| Goldbriar Chateau | 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $795 |
| Wakonda Village Apartments and Manor | A2wv_MANOR | 1BR,1BA | $810 |
| The Village at Grays Lake | 1 BR Oak | 1BR,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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Meadows Homes | Plan B - two story | 3BR,2BA | $0.93 |
| Fort Des Moines | 2-Bedroom | 2BR,2BA | $0.97 |
| Magnolia Park | 2 Bed /2 Bath | 2BR,2BA | $0.85 |
| Magnolia Manor Apartments and Townhomes | 2 Bedroom | 2BR,1BA | $0.93 |
| McKinley Apartments | 3BD/2BA | 3BR,2BA | $0.86 |
| Willow Bend | 2 Bedroom 2 Bath | 2BR,2BA | $1.03 |
| Goldbriar Chateau | 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $0.88 |
| The Pointe on Fleur Apartments | 2 Bedroom Apartment-One Month Free rent Call fo... | 2BR,1BA | $0.85 |
| The Jefferson | Jefferson unrenovated 2 bed 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $1.01 |
| Valley Acres Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,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.
Read ArticleNavigating 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.
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.
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

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.

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.

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.

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.