Cheap Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA from $400 (45 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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640 S. 4th St.
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

640 S. 4th St.

620-640 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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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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4606 Ontario St
2 Bedroom Apartments

4606 Ontario St

4606 Ontario StAmes, IA 50014
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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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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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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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West View Apartments
1 Bedroom Apartments

West View Apartments

4532 Steinbeck StAmes, IA 50014
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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: 04/18/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Ames, IA area range in price from $404 to $2,600 with an overall median price of $1,082. The three Ames neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Grand Junction at $445, Old Town at $445, and South Ames at $404. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Ames Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Grand Junction$999$44521
Old Town$999$44559
South Ames$999$404133
Downtown Ames$1,000$6501
North Ames$1,015$459107
East Ames$1,074$44537
Campustown$1,099$45985
Dauntless$1,099$404109
Fountainview$1,099$404122
Gateway Hills$1,099$45978

Cheapest Available Ames Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Ames, IA is a Studio unit found at College Creek Apartments in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood priced from $670. Melrose Park Apartments in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $705. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Ames apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
College Creek ApartmentsStudio, 1 bathStudio,1BA$670
Melrose Park Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$705
Wyndsor TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$740
Western Hills Apartments1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$745
Hickory Ridge Apartments0 bed, 1 bathStudio,1BA$799
Hyland Apartments1 Bedroom Apartment1BR,1BA$820
525 Welch AveOne Bed1BR,1BA$865
Laverne ApartmentsTwo Bedroom, Two Bath2BR,2BA$875
Spacious Apartments minutes from everything2br/2ba2BR,2BA$875
Somerset Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$880

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

As of April 18, 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 South Ames 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$1.07
The Social West Ames®Cambridge A - Station3BR,2BA$0.54
The Grove at Ames2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$0.73
Western Hills Apartments2 Beds, 2 baths2BR,2BA$1.05
Spacious Apartments minutes from everything2br/2ba2BR,2BA$0.99
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 $880.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Ames?

The cheapest apartment in Ames is Melrose Park Apartments which is listed at $705, while the average apartment in Ames costs $1,082.

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 452 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 $365 which is $717 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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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

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Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

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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.