
Top Rated Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $500 (75 Rentals)
Apartments in Des Moines with the best features, newest construction, and richest amenities.
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Des Moines.


East Village Square

The Des Moines Building

Old Main & Drake Apartments

The Fleming Building

Randolph Apartments

Four Seasons Apartments

Jackson Crossing

The Griffin Building

Eagle View Lofts

University Place Lofts

Cityville

The Parker @ Seventh

Nexus at Gray's Landing

The Edge @ Grays Landing

Park Avenue by Broadmoor

Ingersoll Square Lofts

Tempo East Village

14Forty

District at 6th Apartments

Fourth And Court

The Residences at River View

Confluence on 3rd Apartments

Windsor Square by Broadmoor

Rocket Transfer Lofts

219 E Grand

Carman Estates

Carbon 550

Slate Age 55 Plus Active Community

The Equitable Building

Broadway Apartments at Capitol Heights

Prairie Pointe Student Living

The Flats Apartments

The McCoy at 8035 Apartments

Rising Ridge Apartments

Altoona Towers
Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Des Moines?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Des Moines Studio Apartments | $1,044 | $600 | $2,184 |
Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,220 | $565 | $3,690 |
Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,323 | $639 | $3,451 |
Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,652 | $660 | $3,830 |
Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,240 | $630 | $2,460 |
Explore Des Moines
Des Moines, IA Local Guide
- Des Moines Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
- School Districts
Quick 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.
Getting Around Des Moines, IA
Walk Score®
53 / 100
Somewhat Walkable
Some errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
45 / 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Minimal bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
31 / 100
Some Transit
A few nearby public transportation options
What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?
- Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
- Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
- Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Des Moines Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Des Moines?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Des Moines is under $650.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Des Moines?
The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is Stockbridge Apartments which is listed at $565, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,615.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Des Moines?
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 3,295 regular apartments in Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
Cheap apartments in Des Moines have an average cost of $346 which is $1,269 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Des Moines.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.