How much does it cost to rent in Altoona, IA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Altoona, IA is $1,436. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Altoona cheaper than other Iowa cities?

Altoona is one of the pricier cities in Iowa, ranking #5 out of 32 cities tracked at $1,436/mo.

When was Altoona rent data last updated?

Altoona rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IA

Altoona

Name: Average Rent Prices in Altoona, IA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,495·5th most expensive in Iowa·Altoona rents have dropped 6.1%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,436/mo

Year-over-Year

-6.1%

Month-over-Month

-6.7%

vs US Median

-$529

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Altoona · $1,436

More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

20% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,436/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$57,000/yr

Local median income

$86,114/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Altoona's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,010

1 BR

$1,080

2 BR

$1,290

3 BR

$1,730

4 BR+

$1,740

Research median

$1,290/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,232/yr

At $1,436/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 6.1% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-6.1% YoY, -6.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Altoona, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,495

Median income

$86,114

Median age

36.1

Renters

31.3%

Age distribution

25.6%

22.8%

23.5%

17.1%

Under 1825.6%

18–3422.8%

35–5423.5%

55–6411%

65+17.1%

Gender

46.4%

53.6%

Male46.4%

Female53.6%

Race & ethnicity

85.1%

White85.1%

Black5.2%

Hispanic6.5%

Asian2.1%

Other1.1%

Education (25+)

32.4%

30.4%

33.5%

No HS diploma3.8%

HS diploma32.4%

Some college30.4%

Bachelor's+33.5%

Housing tenure

68.7%

31.3%

Owner68.7%

Renter31.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Altoona, IA has changed in 5 years

Income

$83,514 → $86,114

up 3.1%

Population

19,345 → 21,495

up 11.1%

Renter share

31.9% → 31.3%

-0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

29.7% → 33.5%

+3.8 pts

Household income in the area moved from $83,514 to $86,114 across the same window, up 3.1% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,345 to 21,495 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.1% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.7% to 33.5%.

Community

Discussions about Altoona

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View Altoona rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Altoona on your salary?

At $1,436/mo, how Altoona rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 19.8% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 24.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 13.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 10.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 29.8% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 33% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 26.8% income

affordable

By apartment size

Altoona rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Altoona

About renting in Altoona, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Altoona is $1,436/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,730/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($86,114/yr), Altoona ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Altoona an affordable city for renters?

Altoona is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,436/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($86,114/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Altoona falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Altoona?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,436/mo in Altoona. The local median household income is $86,114/yr, meaning the typical Altoona household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Altoona?

Rent in Altoona has decreased 6.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Altoona rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Altoona is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #5 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,436/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Altoona?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Altoona ($1,436/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Urbandale ($1,197/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,346/mo).

What percentage of Altoona residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.3% of Altoona households are renters, while 68.7% are owner-occupied. Altoona leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.