
Cheap Apartments for Rent near Essex, IA from $500 (48 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Essex.


Tarkio Village Apartments

Fountain Apartments

Forest Cove

Nottingham Court Apartments

Fontainebleau Apartments

Timber Creek Apartments

Bellevue Gardens Apartments

University Point
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.

Park Avenue Apartments

Oak Creek Apartments

Timbercrest Apartments

Tregaron Oaks

Fontenelle Hills

Loess Hills Estates Affordable Senior Housing

Pinehill Park

Sherwood Forest Estates

Cornhusker Creek
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.

Chadwick Apartments

Bellevue Hills Apartment Homes

South Ridge Apartments

CopperCreek

Summit by Broadmoor

Highland Meadows

Chapel Ridge-C Bluffs

Deerfield Apartments Council Bluffs

303 W Lowell Ave
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.

Arbor Village

Woodland Park - Red Oak

1010 N 16th St

Clarinda West Apartments

407 H St

Arbor View Apartments

Red Oak 48-(City View Apartments)

913 Ave A

Woodland Park - Griswold
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.

1712 S Wayne St

Chateau Bellevue

2606 Hancock St

1216 S 2nd St

1116 S 2nd St

120 N 30th St

Brent Village

Britain Towne

402 W Eldora Ave
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.

322 Trail Ridge

EOS 75

2216 Lincoln Ave
Essex, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Essex?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Studio Apartments | $1,166 | $871 | $1,335 |
| Essex 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,051 | $540 | $1,690 |
| Essex 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,302 | $690 | $2,025 |
| Essex 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,441 | $800 | $1,850 |
Browse Top Apartments in Essex
See all Apartments in EssexExplore Essex
Essex, IA Local Guide
- Nearby Cities
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Cheapest Available Essex Apartments for Rent and Nearby
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Essex, IA is a 1 Bed unit found at Tarkio Village Apartments priced from $550. Nottingham Court Apartments in the Cass County neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $675. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Essex apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarkio Village Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $550 |
| Nottingham Court Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $675 |
| Timber Creek Apartments | 1BR/1.0BA | 1BR,1BA | $725 |
| Clarinda West Apartments | 1 Beds, 1 Baths | 1BR,1BA | $735 |
| Bellevue Gardens Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $770 |
| Forest Cove | 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $775 |
| Timbercrest Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $800 |
| Oak Creek Apartments | 2 bedroom, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $828 |
| Loess Hills Estates Affordable Senior Housing | Studio | Studio,1BA | $871 |
| Pinehill Park | 1 Bed/1Bath - Breakfast Bar - Classic | 1BR,1BA | $905 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Essex, IA and Nearby
As of July 10, 2026 the best value apartment in the Essex area is the $1.01 price per square foot 3 Bed 2 Bath Model at Fontenelle Hills in the in the Bellevue neighborhood starting from $1,360. The second greatest value Essex apartment is the Two Bed - Upcoming Availability Model at Burr Oaks Place starting at $1,185 with a $0.95 price per square foot in the Mills County neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Essex apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fontenelle Hills | 3 Bed 2 Bath | 3BR,2BA | $1.01 |
| Burr Oaks Place | Two Bed - Upcoming Availability | 2BR,1BA | $0.95 |
| Bellevue Gardens Apartments | 2 Bed 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $0.70 |
| Chateau Bellevue | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,2BA | $1.23 |
| Tregaron Oaks | Ellington | 1BR,1BA | $0.96 |
| Oak Creek Apartments | 2 bedroom, 1 bath | 2BR,1BA | $0.97 |
| Forest Cove | 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 2BR,1BA | $0.95 |
| Timbercrest Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.07 |
| Fontainebleau Apartments | 1 Bed, 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.17 |
| Nottingham Court Apartments | 1 Bed 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.13 |
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.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Essex, IA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Essex, IA
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Essex Apartments
What is the Cheapest Studio apartment in Essex?
Currently the most affordable Cheap Studio Apartment in Essex is at Loess Hills Estates Affordable Senior Housing listed at $871.
How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Essex Apartment?
The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Essex Apartment is $675 at Nottingham Court Apartments.
What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Essex Apartment for rent?
Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Essex is starting from $725 at Nottingham Court Apartments.
What is the most affordable Essex Three Bedroom Apartment?
The best deal on a cheap Essex Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Chateau Bellevue and starts from $1,289.
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

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.

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.

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.