Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Merle Hay Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $575 (85 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Merle Hay area of Des Moines.

property at 1260 34th St

$695 - $860

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Sep 2

1260 34th St

Des MoinesIA50311

Des Moines's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Des Moines and the best places to live with original content written by our Local Expert Joseph Isenberg

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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5000 Twana Dr, Unit 1
$1,000
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,000
Total Monthly Price
$1,000
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

5000 Twana Dr, Unit 1

5000 Twana DrDes Moines, IA 50310
Cost Per Sq.Ft.
  • Smoke Free
property at 3001 30th St

$1,130

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,130
Total Monthly Price
$1,130

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

3001 30th St

Des MoinesIA50310
property at 4704 Valdez Dr

$1,200

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,200
Total Monthly Price
$1,200

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Aug 31

4704 Valdez Dr

Des MoinesIA50310
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Uplift Manor
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Uplift Manor

2916 30th StDes Moines, IA 50310
  • Utilities Included

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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3809 University Ave
Studio Apartments

3809 University Ave

3809 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
  • Utilities Included
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3309 University Ave
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

3309 University Ave

3309 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Drake Collection
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Drake Collection

2931 Cottage Grove AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Clover Creek
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Clover Creek

2901-2907 Boston AveDes Moines, IA 50310
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Eddy Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Eddy Apartments

1120 Polk BlvdDes Moines, IA 50311
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The View on Douglas
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

The View on Douglas

5626 Douglas AveDes Moines, IA 50310
  • Utilities Included
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Hickman House
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hickman House

2221 63rd StDes Moines, IA 50322
  • Utilities Included

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Roosevelt Manor
2 Bedroom Apartments

Roosevelt Manor

4223 Chamberlain DrDes Moines, IA 50312
  • Utilities Included
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The Flats on 56th
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The Flats on 56th

3710 56th StDes Moines, IA 50310
  • Utilities Included
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4671 NW 50th St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

4671 NW 50th St

4671 NW 50th StDes Moines, IA 50310
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1069 33rd St
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1069 33rd St

1069 33rd StDes Moines, IA 50311
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JK Sully 1075
2 Bedroom Apartments

JK Sully 1075

1075 33rd StDes Moines, IA 50311
  • Utilities Included
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5902 Hickman Rd
2 Bedroom Apartments

5902 Hickman Rd

5902 Hickman RdDes Moines, IA 50322
  • Utilities Included
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Chetwynd Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Chetwynd Apartments

3519 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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1414 30th St
2 Bedroom Apartments

1414 30th St

1414 30th StDes Moines, IA 50311

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Merle Hay Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Merle Hay area of Des Moines, IA is a Studio unit found at 3309 University Ave priced from $600. Urban Heights has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $650. Here are the most affordable Merle Hay apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
3309 University Ave0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$600
Urban Heights0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$650
The View on Douglas0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$675
Forest Avenue VillageStudioStudio,1BA$690
Legacy MeadowsA1 Classic1BR,1BA$695
Chad Estates1 bedroom1BR,1BA$699
Lofts on 34th0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$699
Beaverdale Housing LLCStudioStudio,1BA$710
Welcome to Manor Heights Apartments!1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$750
Clover Creek1/1 - Grand Big Buildings1BR,1BA$752

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merle Hay, IA

As of August 26, 2026 the best value apartment in the Merle Hay area is the $1.00 price per square foot 5000 Twana Dr Model at 5000 Twana Dr, Unit 1 in the in the Merle Hay neighborhood starting from $1,000. The second greatest value Merle Hay apartment is the 2 Bed Stellar Model at Urban Green Apartments - Urbandale starting at $995 with a $1.11 price per square foot in the Windsor Heights neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Merle Hay apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
5000 Twana Dr, Unit 15000 Twana Dr2BR,1BA$1.00
Urban Green Apartments - Urbandale2 Bed Stellar2BR,1BA$1.11
Bexley Urbandalebxl-B2c2BR,1BA$1.21
Crossroad Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.15
Hickman OneModel A2BR,1BA$1.20
Kingstone Apartments 22BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.21
Hickman Hill Apartments HEAT & WATER INCLUDED1 Bedroom - FURNISHED1BR,1BA$1.21
Legacy MeadowsB3 Partial Renovation2BR,1BA$1.15
Chad Estates1 bedroom1BR,1BA$1.08
Welcome to Manor Heights Apartments!1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1.15

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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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.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #39

Among cities in Iowa for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of rentals in cities and towns across the United States, including Des Moines. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and convenient access to the outdoors, kid and pet-friendly communities, availability of transit options, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Merle Hay Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Merle Hay?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Merle Hay is under $752.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Merle Hay?

The cheapest apartment in Merle Hay is Legacy Meadows which is listed at $695, while the average apartment in Merle Hay costs $914.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Merle Hay?

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 11 regular apartments in Merle Hay 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 Merle Hay?

Cheap apartments in Merle Hay have an average cost of $145 which is $769 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Merle Hay.

Expert Rental Resources

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for A Local Expert's Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Des Moines, Iowa article

A Local Expert's Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Des Moines, Iowa

Written by: Joseph Isenberg

I'm Joe, the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Des Moines and Central Iowa. My parents moved to Central Iowa in 1967, and my family has been here ever since.

decorative image for Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals article

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

decorative image for Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags article

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

decorative image for First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently article

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.