
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $500 (56 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Des Moines area of Des Moines.


Arlington Hallett

Argonne Apartments

Pleasant Court

The Scott at East Village

East Village Square

Civic Center Court Apartments

The Des Moines Building

High Street Brickstone

Studios in historic neighborhood and buildng

The Fleming Building

Randolph Apartments

City Square Lofts

Jackson Crossing

Woodland Avenue Brickstone

The Griffin Building

1818 Pleasant St, Unit 1818

The Deco

Vine Street Lofts

Madison Flats

10th Street Lofts

Cityville

The Parker @ Seventh

200 Grand Ave

Nexus at Gray's Landing

The Edge @ Grays Landing

Rumely Lofts

Ingersoll Square Lofts

14Forty

Fourth And Court

The Residences at River View

Confluence on 3rd Apartments
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown Des Moines?
Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Downtown Des Moines Studio Apartments | $1,132 | $680 | $1,859 |
Downtown Des Moines 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,435 | $565 | $3,690 |
Downtown Des Moines 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,773 | $660 | $3,132 |
Downtown Des Moines 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,196 | $1,123 | $3,439 |
Downtown Des Moines 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,491 | $1,321 | $1,662 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 56 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.
See all Apartments in Des MoinesExplore Des Moines
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, IA Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown Des Moines Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Des Moines area of Des Moines, IA is a Studio unit found at Concord Apartments priced from $625. The Scott at East Village has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $695. Here are the most affordable Downtown Des Moines apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
---|---|---|---|
Concord Apartments | Studio 5 | Studio,1BA | $625 |
The Scott at East Village | Studio | Studio,1BA | $695 |
Argonne Apartments | Studio C | Studio,1BA | $695 |
East Village Square | Studio 390-392 | Studio,1BA | $725 |
Civic Center Court Apartments | Studio - Apply Now | Studio,1BA | $750 |
The Elliott | Studio | Studio,1BA | $750 |
Riverpoint Lofts | A1 | 1BR,1BA | $775 |
Court Ave Lofts | CA-A2 - Income Restricted | 1BR,1BA | $788 |
The Des Moines Building | S3 - Income Restricted | Studio,1BA | $795 |
The Fleming Building | #3 - Studio | Studio,1BA | $795 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Des Moines, IA
As of April 08, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Des Moines area is the $1.22 price per square foot Vega Model at Rocket Transfer Lofts in the in the Southwest Des Moines neighborhood starting from $1,705. The second greatest value Downtown Des Moines apartment is the Model A Model at The Elmhurst starting at $1,300 with a $1.00 price per square foot in the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Des Moines apartments based on price per square foot:
Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
---|---|---|---|
Rocket Transfer Lofts | Vega | 2BR,2BA | $1.22 |
The Elmhurst | Model A | 2BR,2BA | $1.00 |
AP Lofts | 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom | 2BR,2BA | $1.33 |
The Griffin Building | 2 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 2BR,1BA | $1.18 |
High Street Brickstone | Two Bedroom | 2BR,2BA | $1.02 |
Woodland Avenue Brickstone | 2x1 850 | 2BR,1BA | $1.30 |
Vine Street Lofts | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.30 |
Madison Flats | 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $1.16 |
Rumely Lofts | 1 Bedroom Income Restricted | 1BR,1BA | $1.31 |
Stockbridge Apartments | 1x1 670-700 | 1BR,1BA | $0.81 |
Quick Rent Budget Calculator
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Lifestyle Ratings
ApartmentHomeLiving.com works hard to bring you our detailed rental analysis called 'Lifestyle Ratings' - a comparison of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, including Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines, and the greater Des Moines area. LifeStyle Ratings are the best way to sort through finding a place to live - beyond price and floorplan. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and proximity to parks, transit availability, pet-friendly communities, family-friendly amenities, and much more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.
Getting Around the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
Walk Score®
76 / 100
Very Walkable
Most errands can be accomplished on foot
Bike Score®
57 / 100
Bikeable
Some bike infrastructure
Transit Score®
59 / 100
Good Transit
Many 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 Downtown Des Moines Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Des Moines?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Des Moines is under $795.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Des Moines?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown Des Moines is Riverpoint Lofts which is listed at $775, while the average apartment in Downtown Des Moines costs $2,036.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 65 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Des Moines?
Cheap apartments in Downtown Des Moines have an average cost of $171 which is $1,865 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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.

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.

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.

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.