Cheap Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA from $400 (44 Rentals)

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property at 921 Duff Ave

921 Duff Ave

AmesIA50010
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Twin Oaks Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Twin Oaks Apartments

4210 Lincoln Swing StAmes, IA 50014
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520 5th St
1 Bedroom Apartments

520 5th St

520 5th StAmes, IA 50010
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3404 Coy St
2 Bedroom Apartments

3404 Coy St

3404 Coy StAmes, IA 50014
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307 Lynn Ave
4 Bedroom Apartments

307 Lynn Ave

307 Lynn AveAmes, IA 50014
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Maplewood
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Maplewood

1108 S 4th StAmes, IA 50010
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Spruce Pointe
1 Bedroom Apartments

Spruce Pointe

126 Beedle DrAmes, IA 50014
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640 S. 4th St.
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

640 S. 4th St.

620-640 S 4th StAmes, IA 50010
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Furman Regency Court
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Furman Regency Court

3020 Regency CtAmes, IA 50010
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1005 28th St
1 Bedroom Apartments

1005 28th St

1005 28th StAmes, IA 50010
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4112 Lincoln Swing
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

4112 Lincoln Swing

4112 Lincoln Swing StAmes, IA 50014
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4606 Ontario St
2 Bedroom Apartments

4606 Ontario St

4606 Ontario StAmes, IA 50014
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2713 Luther Dr
2 Bedroom Apartments

2713 Luther Dr

2713 Luther DrAmes, IA 50010
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3319 Story St
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

3319 Story St

3319 Story StAmes, IA 50014
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South Oak
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

South Oak

221 S Oak AveAmes, IA 50010
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514-520 Carroll Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

514-520 Carroll Ave

514-520 Carroll AveAmes, IA 50010
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2707 Luther Dr
2 Bedroom Apartments

2707 Luther Dr

2707 Luther DrAmes, IA 50010
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1217 Delaware Ave
2 Bedroom Apartments

1217 Delaware Ave

1217 Delaware AveAmes, IA 50014
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2721 Luther Dr
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

2721 Luther Dr

2721 Luther DrAmes, IA 50010
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141 Campus Ave
2 Bedroom Apartments

141 Campus Ave

141 Campus AveAmes, IA 50014
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West View Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

West View Apartments

4532 Steinbeck StAmes, IA 50014
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Oak Brooke
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Oak Brooke

422 Stonehaven DrAmes, IA 50010
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3500 Grand Ave
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3500 Grand Ave

3500 Grand AveAmes, IA 50010
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Ames, IA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Ames, IA

Pricing Updated: 03/23/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Ames, IA area range in price from $399 to $2,600 with an overall median price of $1,157. The three Ames neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are East Ames at $445, South Ames at $399, and North Ames at $399. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Ames Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
East Ames$1,000$445520
South Ames$1,007$3993852
North Ames$1,030$3993271
Campustown$1,099$3992675
Dauntless$1,099$3994675
Fountainview$1,099$3994593
West Ames$1,099$3995825
West Campus Village$1,130$3994341
Eagle Ridge$1,199$6002957
Grand Junction$1,200$445293

Cheapest Available Ames Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Ames, IA is a 4 Beds unit found at The Social West Ames® in the Fountainview neighborhood priced from $519. Grandview Square Apartments in the Eagle Ridge 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 Ames apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Social West Ames®Watson - Station4BR,3BA$519
Grandview Square Apartments1 bedroom 1 bath1BR,1BA$675
College Creek Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$725
Wyndsor TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$740
Hickory Ridge Apartments0 bed, 1 bathStudio,1BA$799
Somerset ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$800
Hyland Apartments1 Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$820
Laverne ApartmentsTwo Bedroom, Two Bath2BR,2BA$875
Spacious Apartments minutes from everything2br/2ba2BR,2BA$875
301 Main1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$885

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

As of March 23, 2025 the best value apartment in the Ames area is the $0.65 price per square foot 2BR/2.5BA Model at Copper Beech at Ames in the in the Grand Junction neighborhood starting from $800. The second greatest value Ames apartment is the Three Bedroom, Two Bath Model at Laverne Apartments starting at $1,265 with a $1.05 price per square foot in the South Ames neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Ames apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Copper Beech at Ames2BR/2.5BA2BR,2.5BA$0.65
Laverne ApartmentsThree Bedroom, Two Bath3BR,2BA$1.05
The Quarters AmesA - 3x33BR,3BA$0.55
The Madison3x3 Furnished3BR,3BA$0.53
Northern Lights Apartments3304 Polaris ( 3 bedroom )3BR,2BA$1.01
The Grove at Ames2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$0.73
Grandview Square Apartments1 bedroom 1 bath1BR,1BA$0.75
Spacious Apartments minutes from everything2br/2ba2BR,2BA$0.99
3500 Grand Ave2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.06
Point at AmesFrisco A2BR,2BA$1.05

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Ames Overview

Recently listed by CNNMoney as one of their 'best places to live', Ames is an inviting slice of American heritage that's ideal for both working class families and ambitious Twenty-somethings alike. Home to a number of places of higher learning as well as an assortment of other industry, this Iowa hotspot is a must-consider for anyone in the market for a great new spot to call home.

Why live in Ames, IA?

From the area university...which has produced Pulitzer Prize winners, astronauts and more...to the wide array of historic structures and stately homes lining the downtown area, Ames apartments make a fantastic place to live, work and play. Offering easy access to the nightlife and job market of nearby Des Moines, Ames maintains an intrinsic charm all its own.

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Ames, IA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around Ames, IA

Walk Score®

52 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

71 / 100

Very Bikeable

Biking is convenient for most trips

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Ames Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Ames?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Ames is under $885.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Ames?

The cheapest apartment in Ames is Grandview Square Apartments which is listed at $675, while the average apartment in Ames costs $1,157.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Ames?

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 16,557 regular apartments in Ames 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 Ames?

Cheap apartments in Ames have an average cost of $353 which is $804 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Ames.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

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Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

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What to Know About Fees and Fines When Renting

Written by: Trey Huguley

When it comes to renting a new apartment or home there can be a number of fees that you will want to keep in mind going into the process.

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Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.

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How Your Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

If you’re anything like most people, housing costs represent a huge chunk of your monthly budget. On top of that, moving can be both a stressful and expensive affair.