Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Merle Hay Neighborhood of Des Moines, IA from $300 (90 Rentals)

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

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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Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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Uplift Manor
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Uplift Manor

2916 30th StDes Moines, IA 50310
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3809 University Ave
Studio Apartments

3809 University Ave

3809 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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University West
2 Bedroom Apartments

University West

4010 UniversityDes Moines, IA 50311
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Hickman House
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Hickman House

2221 63rd StDes Moines, IA 50322
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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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Roosevelt Manor
2 Bedroom Apartments

Roosevelt Manor

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

The Flats on 56th

3710 56th StDes Moines, IA 50310
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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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JK Sully 1075
2 Bedroom Apartments

JK Sully 1075

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

5902 Hickman Rd

5902 Hickman RdDes Moines, IA 50322
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4314 University Ave
1 Bedroom Apartments

4314 University Ave

4314 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
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Chetwynd Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Chetwynd Apartments

3519 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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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 The View On Hickman priced from $625. Clover Creek has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $647. Here are the most affordable Merle Hay apartments for rent in Des Moines, IA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The View On HickmanNew Build Apartment Available for Immediate Mov...Studio,1BA$625
Clover Creek1/1 - Grand1BR,1BA$647
The View on DouglasCompletely Renovated Studio ApartmentStudio,1BA$650
Urban Heights0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$675
Beaverdale Housing LLCStudioStudio,1BA$710
Westpointe ApartmentsWashingtonStudio,1BA$755
Legacy MeadowsA2 Classic1BR,1BA$760

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merle Hay, IA

As of April 12, 2026 the best value apartment in the Merle Hay area is the $1.05 price per square foot 5000 Twana Dr Model at 5000 Twana Dr, Unit 1 in the in the Merle Hay neighborhood starting from $1,050. The second greatest value Merle Hay apartment is the 2BR/1.0BA Model at Crossroad Apartments starting at $899 with a $1.09 price per square foot in the Merle Hay 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$1.05
Crossroad Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.09
Elm Village Apartments2 BDRM2BR,1BA$1.01
Hickman OneModel A2BR,1BA$1.20
Urban Green Apartments1 BR Oak1BR,1BA$1.12
The Village at WestchesterBedford2BR,1BA$1.05
Hickman Hill Apartments HEAT & WATER INCLUDED1 Bedroom- Call for Specials1BR,1BA$1.11
1136 1/2 68th St, Unit 1136 121136 1/2 68th St1BR,1BA$0.99
2915 Cottage Grove Ave, Unit 22915 Cottage Grove Ave1BR,1BA$1.15
Clover Creek1/1 - Grand1BR,1BA$1.09

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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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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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Merle Hay, Des Moines, IA

Ranked #43

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 $760.

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

The cheapest apartment in Merle Hay is Clover Creek which is listed at $647, while the average apartment in Merle Hay costs $1,455.

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 9 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 $121 which is $1,334 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 What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

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

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

decorative image for Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters article

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

decorative image for 18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property article

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.