
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown East Neighborhood of Kansas City, MO from $400 (185 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown East area of Kansas City.


532 Gladstone Blvd

White Hall Lofts

3600 St John Ave

2729 Campbell

Harrison Village and Harrison Haus

Ridgeview Heights - Newly Renovated Apts!

929 Residences

105 E 30th St, Unit unit 1c

Walnut Tower Apartments
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.

Grand Boulevard Lofts

Courthouse Lofts

Lexington Crossing

26th Street Station

Cold Storage Lofts

Pickwick Plaza

Vine Street Lofts

Arte KC

Oasis on Linwood

3415 Locust St
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.

3314 Tracy Ave

3233 Park Ave

Midland Lofts

2213 Askew Ave

Atlas

826 Linwood Blvd

The Dial

2637 E 29th St

Green Village Townhomes

2855 Van Brunt Blvd
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.

Flashcube Apartments

909 Walnut

3304 Agnes Ave, Unit Downstairs

3306 Agnes Ave, Unit Upstairs

2003 Wabash Ave

136 Lawndale Ave

3100 E Gillham Plaza

600 E 8th St

1989 Main

Jazz Hill
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.

Oaks Centropolis

3314 Kensington Ave

Commerce Tower

Professional Building Lofts

The Wade

2933 Park Ave

712 Linwood Blvd

3305 E 19th St

One Nine Vine Apartments

Marcato
Beyond the City Limits: Where to Find Your Perfect Apartment in the Kansas City Metro
Searching for apartments in the Kansas City metro? See our guide to the best surrounding cities, including Overland Park, Olathe, and Liberty, for value and location.
Downtown East, Kansas City, MO Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown East?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown East Studio Apartments | $1,395 | $695 | $2,622 |
| Downtown East 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,963 | $695 | $5,713 |
| Downtown East 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,841 | $826 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown East 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,055 | $997 | $10,000+ |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 185 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown East Neighborhood of Kansas City, MO.
See all Apartments in Kansas CityExplore Kansas City
Downtown East, Kansas City, MO Local Guide
- Nearby Kansas City neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Cheapest Available Downtown East Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown East area of Kansas City, MO is a Studio unit found at White Apartments priced from $569. Smart Lofts on Gladstone has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $695. Here are the most affordable Downtown East apartments for rent in Kansas City, MO:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Apartments | Studio 1 Bathroom | Studio,1BA | $569 |
| Smart Lofts on Gladstone | Studio Top | Studio,1BA | $695 |
| White Hall Lofts | 1 Bedroom / 1 Bath | 1BR,1BA | $725 |
| Admiral Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $825 |
| Mark One Plaza | 1x1 | 1BR,1BA | $825 |
| Ridgeview Heights - Newly Renovated Apts! | Two Bed One Bath | 2BR,1BA | $826 |
| 2600-2614 Amie Ct | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $850 |
| 929 Residences | The Penny | Studio,1BA | $850 |
| 3022 McGEE | 1B 1B 3F RENOV | 1BR,1BA | $895 |
| Walnut Tower Apartments | Dogwood | Studio,1BA | $899 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown East, MO
As of May 21, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown East area is the $0.88 price per square foot Brooklyn Model at Western in the in the 18th and Vine neighborhood starting from $1,400. The second greatest value Downtown East apartment is the 3 bd w/o basement Model at Green Village Townhomes starting at $1,075 with a $0.73 price per square foot in the Blue Valley neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown East apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Brooklyn | 2BR,1BA | $0.88 |
| Green Village Townhomes | 3 bd w/o basement | 3BR,1.5BA | $0.73 |
| Grand Boulevard Lofts | Two Bedroom | Two Bathroom | 2BR,2BA | $1.12 |
| Harrison Village and Harrison Haus | Harrison Village - The Brooklyn | 2BR,1BA | $1.30 |
| 901 E 28th Street | 1B 1B 1F W/D | 1BR,1BA | $1.14 |
| Atlas | One Bed One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.34 |
| Ridgeview Heights - Newly Renovated Apts! | One Bed One Bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.29 |
| 3022 McGEE | 1B 1B 3F RENOV | 1BR,1BA | $1.28 |
| Admiral Apartments | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.27 |
| Smart Lofts on Gladstone | 1 Bedroom Top | 1BR,1BA | $1.31 |
Kansas City's Major Employers and the Best Places to Rent Near Them | A Local Expert Guide
Your KC local expert guide to the city's best places to rent near the top tech, healthcare, & engineering employers in the area. Find the perfect apartment neighborhood near Oracle (Cerner), Garmin, Burns & McDonnell, and St. Luke's.
Read ArticleDon'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 ArticleA KC Expert's Top Recommendations for College Neighborhoods in Kansas City
Learn About the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near College Campuses in Kansas City, MO | Find Kansas City Off-Campus Student Housing
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.
Best Local Schools in Downtown East, Kansas City, MO
Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
School data provided by Great Schools
Lifestyle Ratings
Our team compiles millions of data points to bring you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Kansas City. 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 convenient access to the outdoors, luxury amenities, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, and more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown East Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown East?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown East is under $899.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown East?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown East is White Hall Lofts which is listed at $725, while the average apartment in Downtown East costs $7,000.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown East?
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 77 regular apartments in Downtown East 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 Downtown East?
Cheap apartments in Downtown East have an average cost of $175 which is $6,825 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown East.
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.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Kansas City
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
Hello, and welcome! I’m Amber, and I’ll be your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Kansas City.

A KC Experts Top Recommendations for College Neighborhoods in Kansas City
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
As a Kansas City native and the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for the area, I can confidently say that this city is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to go to school, too.

Kansas Citys Major Employers & the Best Places to Rent Near Them | A Local Expert Guide
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
Hey, there! I’m Amber, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Kansas City, and I’m back with my recommendations for top employers in the area.

Kansas City BBQ and Beyond: Your Local Guide to the Best About Renting in KC
Written by: Amber Kanuckel
Hey there! I’m Amber, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local guide for Kansas City, and I’m back to show you how to have a great time in this town.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back
Written by: Lauren Harrington
I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.