Start your Ames search

How many bedrooms do you need?

Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

84 rentals available

Large 1 2 Bedrooms available, PET FRIENDLY!
$899
2101 Oakwood Road, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 800-8419
7 units available
1 bed • 2 bed • 3 bed
Amenities
On-site laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Garage, Air conditioning + more
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
Campus Properties
$1,280
2309 Knapp Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 316-2730
10 units available
2 bed • 3 bed • 4 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance, Parking + more
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
4515 Todd
$1,285
4515 Todd Drive, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 375-2418
1 unit available
2 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Garage, Some paid utils, and Microwave
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
2801 Oakland
$1,735
2801 Oakland Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 454-5391
3 units available
2 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Dishwasher, Parking, Some paid utils, Microwave, and Internet access
Convenient Living
Ideal for connected and modern living.
2801 Oakland offers modern living with high-end finishes and essential conveniences. Enjoy in-unit laundry and covered parking, paired with high-speed internet access—perfect for seamless streaming and remote work. The abundance of nearby parks and entertainment ensures an enjoyable and engaging lifestyle.
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
Ames city guide
Everything you need to know
Let's go
Best market deals
These units are the best deal in town.
Student Housing - The Social West Ames Private - Priced By Bed
4 Beds • 2 Baths • 1450 sqft
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 21
3326 Story St 1 Bed, 1 Bath, $500
1 Bed • 1 Bath
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
3324 Story St 1 Bed, 1 Bath, $600
1 Bed • 1 Bath
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
3322-3224 Story St. 1 Bed, 1 Bath, $600
1 Bed • 1 Bath
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
408 Hayward 1 Bed, 1 Bath, $675
1 Bed • 1 Bath
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
145 N. Hyland
$1,195
145 North Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 316-4817
3 units available
2 bed
Amenities
On-site laundry, Dishwasher, Parking, Internet access, Range, and Refrigerator
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
140 N. Hyland
$1,400
140 North Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 375-5681
4 units available
2 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Dishwasher, Parking, Microwave, Internet access, and Range
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
3500 Grand Ave
$825
3500 Grand Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
(515) 293-5919
3 units available
1 bed • 2 bed
Amenities
Dishwasher, Cats allowed, Internet access, Range, and Refrigerator
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
Large 3 Bedroom Apartments PET FRIENDLY!
$999
1209 North Dakota Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 606-1741
4 units available
3 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Parking, Some paid utils, and Online portal
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
4.0
Student Housing - The Social West Ames
$469
1320 Coconino Road, Ames, IA 50014
(336) 505-4598
Top rated for Location
“Management can be a bit dicy sometimes, seems to be a lack of communication throughout the office. Certain buildings have minimal or small parking lots. The decoy apartment you tour most likely won't look like your actual apartment.”
41 units available
1 bed • 2 bed • 3 bed • 4 bed • 5 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Patio / balcony, Granite counters, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly + more
Student Paradise
Top choice for students and pet owners in Ames.
The Social West Ames boasts an unbeatable location, especially for students of Iowa State University, offering easy transportation links to the campus and beyond. The property is rich in amenities with two sparkling pools, a 24/7 fitness center, and fantastic sports facilities. Pet owners will appreciate the pet-friendly environment, complete with two dog parks for plenty of exercises. Residents also enjoy the modern interiors and stress-free leasing process managed by friendly staff.
Recently updated units
Verified listing
Verified
4510 Twain Circle - 205
$1,095
4510 Twain Circle, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 337-8961
1 unit available
2 bed
Amenities
On-site laundry, Garage, Extra storage, and Internet access
Recently updated units
Luxury apartments
Top units for an elevated lifestyle.
3126 Story St 6 Beds, 3 Baths, $2800
6 Beds • 3 Baths
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
237 Campus 6 Beds, 3 Baths, $2750
6 Beds • 3 Baths
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
137/139 S Franklin 6 Beds, 2 Baths, $2625
6 Beds • 2 Baths
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
2631 Knapp 4 Beds, 2 Baths, $2600
4 Beds • 2 Baths
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
412 Ash Ave 4 Beds, 2 Baths, $2575
4 Beds • 2 Baths
Monthly rent
Ask
Available
Aug 1
3422 West St
$1,500
3422 West Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 450-0878
1 unit available
2 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Garage, and Air conditioning
Recently updated units
3002 Woodland St
$1,400
3002 Woodland Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 450-0878
1 unit available
3 bed
Amenities
In unit laundry, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Garage, and Recently renovated
Recently updated units
307 Lynn Ave
$1,149
307 Lynn Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 337-0543
1 unit available
1 bed
Amenities
On-site laundry, Dishwasher, Parking, Recently renovated, Air conditioning, and Some paid utils
Campus Proximity
Prime Location with Modern Renovations
Nestled in Ames' South Campus Area, this stylish residence is just blocks from the excitement of campus life. Featuring comprehensive modern renovations with top-notch finishes, this property is ideal for those who value quality and convenience. With both cats and dogs welcome, it's a pet lover's paradise.
Recently updated units
4229 Toronto St
$860
4229 Toronto Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 292-5020
1 unit available
2 bed
Amenities
W/D hookup, Pet friendly, Garage, Internet access, Garbage disposal, and Range
Recently updated units
2905 Wood St.
$1,650
2905 Wood Street, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 460-0582
1 unit available
3 bed
Amenities
Pet friendly
Recently updated units
115 Wilmoth
$1,350
115 North Wilmoth Avenue, Ames, IA 50014
(515) 460-0582
1 unit available
3 bed
Amenities
Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Pet friendly, Garage, and Fire pit
Recently updated units

More Rental Options

Bedrooms

1 Bedroom Apartments in Ames (10)

Price

Ames Cheap Apartments (19)

Amenities

Find an apartment for rent in Ames, IA

Searching for an apartment for rent in Ames, IA? Look no further! Apartment List will help you find a perfect apartment near you. There are 84 available rental units listed on Apartment List in Ames. Click on listings to see photos, floorplans, amenities, prices and availability, and much more!

The average rent in Ames is Ask for a studio, $952 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $1,101 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for a deal, keep an eye out for a red pulsing icon that indicates rent specials.

Tired of browsing? Take our personalized quiz. You’ll answer a couple of simple questions and we’ll put together a list of Ames apartments that are best for you. We’ll also factor in your commute, budget, and preferred amenities. Looking for a pet-friendly rental, or an apartment with in-unit washer and dryer? No problem, we’ll provide you with apartments that match that criteria.

You can trust Apartment List to help you find your next Ames, IA apartment rental! After all, everyone deserves a home they love.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Ames, the average rent is for a studio, $952 for a 1-bedroom, $1,101 for a 2-bedroom, and $930 for a 3-bedroom.

You can find the lowest-priced apartments in Ames by using the cheap apartments filter.

You can use the pet-friendly filter to find Ames apartments that allow pets.

The answer to this question depends on your household income and a couple of other factors. You can use our Rent Calculator to figure out how much you should spend on rent in Ames.

You can use the off-campus housing filters to find apartments near colleges located in or around Ames. Some of the colleges and universities in the area include Iowa State University, Drake University, Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center, Grand View University, and Des Moines Area Community College.

In 2010, Ames was ranked as one of the top ten Best Places to Live on the CNNMoney list. Talk about _Ames-ing_for the top. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Ames is, above all else, a spirited and lively university town. This Midwest gem has students from all over the world attending their highly rated research programs and bringing culture and ideas from all over the globe with them. While this is a family-friendly city, the university tends to dictate a great deal of life here. While the population hovers around 60,000, it's impossible to know for certain at any given point what the realistic population of the city actually is when school is in session. This city has all of the amenities you'd expect from an urban environment, but it still feels largely like a couple of small towns -- the city itself and the university.

Moving to Ames

This is the Midwest, but it's also a major university city so be prepared to work hard for your new apartment. Make the transition easier by gathering a few references from your employer and past landlord just to be safe. Expect an application, credit check and proof of employment for every place you're seriously considering. Be sure to have a recent medical slip for any pets, as this is a city ordinance and most landlords require it anyway. Don't worry if your credit is less than perfect; as long as you have proof of income, you should be fine.

Remember the weather when making plans to relocate to Ames. It gets very cold and snowy here, and ice storms are not unusual. It's a great place to live, even in winter, but you don't necessarily want to try carrying your 60-inch flat screen down an icy path!

What It Will Cost

It's actually not as bad as you might think, but it largely depends on where you decide to live. The overall cost of living is very good, but the rentals near the university tend to go for a premium. If you are not a college student, you might want to consider living away from the university. It will save you a lot of money, and it's much quieter. All in all, expect to pay somewhere between a tickle and a moan for a nice place here.

Neighborhoods

There are a lot of them in Ames. In fact there are more than 40 neighborhood associations. However, most of the neighborhoods, associations aside, generally merge into each other and form larger distinct groups. As a result, there are essentially three major neighborhoods and one semi-major neighborhood. You'll find a mix of apartments, single-family homes and rent to own houses here.

Lincoln Way:This is where the established professionals, mostly university professors, doctors and lawyers, are living. The homes are older and the residents are stable, having lived here for at least the last five years. You can expect to find very few rentals here as they go quickly to visiting professors, executives and so forth. $$$$$

Campustown:Welcome to the heart of the university! If you are a student, this is the place to be. It's hip and trendy, and you can walk to almost everywhere you need. The rents here are not bad, but it's a lively area, and unless you are affiliated with the university, you might want to look elsewhere for something quieter and more relaxing. $$$$

Grand:This is a great neighborhood for the upwardly mobile young professional. There are a lot of families in this area, as well as quite a few retirees. There generally is no problem finding a great place here for a decent price.$$$

Downtown:This is the cultural and historic part of Ames. Here you will find business owners, professionals just starting out and a few graduate students who need some quiet to get their dissertations written! There is a pretty fair mix of owners and renters here and a fair number of vacancies. $$

Living in Ames

So you want to move to Ames and join the fun. Welcome to the community! There's almost always something going on, whether it's hosted by the city or the university. If you are bored here, it's because you haven't bothered to open your eyes. Please keep in mind that it does get cold and snowy in winter, but that's okay because then you can participate in winter sports and activities! It's hot and humid here in the summer, making it a great place for swimming, hiking and biking. Biking is big here. It's an economical way for university students to get around and even the rest of the population is in on it at this point. Next to bikes, the two most important things on the minds of locals are food and beer (not necessarily in that order).

Restaurants

If you can't find it in Ames, it probably doesn't exist. None of that changes the need for Chinese-Pizza-Mexican. These three cuisines are generally necessary for you to feel at home in your new city, and in Ames, you have a number of great options. To save you time, go to Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza on Kellogg Street. If you are more into a college type environment, try the Pizza Pit on Welch. Both are great pizza places.

For Chinese food, Go to House of Chen or Chinese Home Style Cooking, which are both on Lincoln Way. The food is outstanding, the portions are huge and the prices are reasonable. It really doesn't get much better than that.

Visit the Fighting Burrito on Welch for great Mexican food. Not only are they open late, but they also deliver and as most college students know, a Burrito Grande cures hangovers.

You need at least one nice restaurant. If you are single, you need a place to go on dates. If you are married, you need a place for your anniversary. If you aren't interested, then you need a place to take mom on Mother's Day. That place in Ames is the Fuji Japanese Steakhouse on Kellogg. While everything is outstanding here, the Scallop Teriyaki is absolutely perfect. The food is only part of it; the rest is the show while they prepare the food, which is always a treat.

Nightlife

This one can be tough for adults who are no longer in college and not looking to par-tay, but are looking for a relaxing place to hang out with friends and have a few beers instead. One of the few choices near Campustown is Welch Avenue Station on Welch. It's a relaxing place where you can actually have a conversation with your friends that doesn't require screaming.

For the sports lover who lacks a big screen, Es Tas on Stanton is a great option. You can grab a few beers, watch the game and maybe shoot some pool in a cozy and relaxed environment.

Culture

There are two distinct cultures at work in Ames. The first is the local permanent population of citizens. This is a typical mix of Midwestern culture and values. The other is the university, with it's hodge-podge of attitudes, ideas and theories. It makes for a great local mix and keeps things lively. Don't expect to find a single dominant culture here because there isn't one. What there is in Ames is great tolerance and acceptance for differing views. That's more important anyway.

Beyond the general culture, there is also the Ames Historical Society, which preserves the history of Ames for future generations. If history is your passion, there is also the Brunnier Art Museum, which is always worth a tour.

One cultural aspect of Ames that is extremely popular is the Octagon Center for the Arts, which includes galleries, studios, classes and a retail shop. The center also sponsors the Octagon Arts Festival each year.

Business in Ames

To give you some idea of the scope of the University, it's the largest employer in Ames. That, in and of itself, is not surprising, but the numbers might be if you look at them. The university employs over 14,000 people. The next largest employer, Mary Greeley Medical Center employs 1,347. In fact, if you add up the numbers of the other nine employers on the list, they make up less than half the workforce of the university when combined. The city itself employs less than 1,000 workers.

Ames is an economic dynamo because it is business-friendly for both large and small businesses, and it also uses the University to attract new industry. Ames has adopted industry and business-friendly policies that make relocating or starting a business here a painless process.

Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

Large 1 2 Bedrooms available, PET FRIENDLY!

Campus Properties

4515 Todd

2801 Oakland

145 N. Hyland

140 N. Hyland

3500 Grand Ave

Large 3 Bedroom Apartments PET FRIENDLY!

Student Housing - The Social West Ames

4510 Twain Circle - 205

3422 West St

3002 Woodland St

307 Lynn Ave

4229 Toronto St

2905 Wood St.

115 Wilmoth

More Rental Options

Find an apartment for rent in Ames, IA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Living in Ames, IA

Ames Apartment Renter's Guide

Ames Apartment Renter's Guide

Keywords

Apartments for Rent in Ames, IA

Large 1 2 Bedrooms available, PET FRIENDLY!

Campus Properties

4515 Todd

2801 Oakland

145 N. Hyland

140 N. Hyland

3500 Grand Ave

Large 3 Bedroom Apartments PET FRIENDLY!

Student Housing - The Social West Ames

4510 Twain Circle - 205

3422 West St

3002 Woodland St

307 Lynn Ave

4229 Toronto St

2905 Wood St.

115 Wilmoth

More Rental Options

Find an apartment for rent in Ames, IA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is rent in Ames?

How can I find a cheap apartment in Ames?

How can I find a pet-friendly apartment in Ames?

How much should I pay for rent in Ames?

How can I find off-campus housing in Ames?

Living in Ames, IA

Ames Apartment Renter's Guide

Ames Apartment Renter's Guide

Keywords