RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IA

Adel

Pop. 6,430·23rd most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,094/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+6.1%
vs US Median
-$868
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Adel rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Adel · $1,094
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
14% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,094/mo, rent takes about 14% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$44,000/yr
Local median income
$95,250/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Adel's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$840
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,360
4 BR+
$1,360
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,010/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,094 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,128/yr
At $1,094/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +6.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Adel, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,430
Median income
$95,250
Median age
36.5
Renters
34.8%
Age distribution
30.4%
15%
32.6%
12.3%
Under 1830.4%
18–3415%
35–5432.6%
55–649.7%
65+12.3%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
88.3%
White88.3%
Black0.9%
Hispanic6%
Other4.9%
Education (25+)
25.2%
31.5%
37.9%
No HS diploma5.3%
HS diploma25.2%
Some college31.5%
Bachelor's+37.9%
Housing tenure
65.2%
34.8%
Owner65.2%
Renter34.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Adel, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,440 → $95,250
up 41.2%
Population
5,867 → 6,430
up 9.6%
Renter share
30.7% → 34.8%
+4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
39.4% → 37.9%
-1.5 pts

Census figures show median household income at $95,250 today, compared with $67,440 five years earlier. The population has grown by 9.6% since 2021, moving from about 5,867 residents to roughly 6,430. Renters now make up 34.8% of households, compared with 30.7% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Adel

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Adel rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Adel on your salary?

At $1,094/mo, how Adel rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Adel rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Adel. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Adel

About renting in Adel, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Adel is $1,094/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $840/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,360/mo.

At 14% of local median household income ($95,250/yr), Adel ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Adel an affordable city for renters?

Adel is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,094/mo, rent takes approximately 14% of the local median household income ($95,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Adel falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Adel?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,094/mo in Adel. The local median household income is $95,250/yr, meaning the typical Adel household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Adel?

Rent in Adel has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Adel rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Adel is one of the more affordable cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #23 out of 33 tracked cities at $1,094/mo.

What percentage of Adel residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.8% of Adel households are renters, while 65.2% are owner-occupied. Adel leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Adel rent compare to the national average?

Adel's median rent of $1,094/mo is $868 (44%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #23 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
14%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,094/mo, rent takes ~14% of Adel's median household income ($95,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Adel 14%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Adel affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Adel
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Adel, IA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Adel.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google