Top Rated Cheap Apartments for Rent in Des Moines, IA from $400 (64 Rentals)

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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.

Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Read our practical guide to landlord and tenant rights. Understand protected classes, reasonable accommodations, and legal exceptions to prevent housing discrimination.

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Melbourne IV 55+ Living
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Melbourne IV 55+ Living

5514 SE 14th StDes Moines, IA 50320
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Southridge Senior Lofts
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Southridge Senior Lofts

695 E Army Post RdDes Moines, IA 50315
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Sevastopol Station
1 Bedroom Apartments

Sevastopol Station

1938 SE 6th StDes Moines, IA 50315
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Shelly Rose Estates
1 Bedroom Apartments

Shelly Rose Estates

3721 Indianola AveDes Moines, IA 50320
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Velocity
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Velocity

200 Des Moines StDes Moines, IA 50309
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Des Moines, IA Local Guide

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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 $642.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Des Moines?

The cheapest apartment in Des Moines is Highland Park Apartments (DSM) which is listed at $547, while the average apartment in Des Moines costs $1,662.

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 2,879 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 $288 which is $1,374 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.

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Rise of Digital Nomads: Remote Work Tips for Apartment Renters

Written by: Brandie Parton

As a digital nomad, you no longer call a set address or office building your home for eight hours of the day or more.

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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.