2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Altoona, IA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Altoona, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $1,436 and +22% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Altoona
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Altoona
Compare Altoona's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $880 |
| 2 | Newton | $920 |
| 3 | Boone | $940 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $940 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $950 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $970 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $980 |
| 9 | Davenport | $1,014 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $1,038 |
| 11 | Indianola | $1,060 |
| 12 | Coralville | $1,070 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $1,080 |
| 14 | Burlington | $1,090 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs | $1,100 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,445 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,410 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,390 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,330 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,325 |
| 6 | Altoona (this page) | $1,290 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,280 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,270 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,260 |
| 10 | Bettendorf | $1,210 |
| 11 | Tiffin | $1,180 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,180 |
| 13 | Iowa City | $1,160 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,158 |
| 15 | Ames | $1,130 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Altoona.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Altoona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 4.5 mi | $1,270 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 11.3 mi | $1,445 | +$155 (+12%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 12.7 mi | $1,158 | $-132 (-10%) |
| Johnston, IA | 17.9 mi | $1,410 | +$120 (+9%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 21 mi | $1,330 | +$40 (+3%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 21.4 mi | $1,260 | $-30 (-2%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 22.3 mi | $1,325 | +$35 (+3%) |
| Indianola, IA | 23.1 mi | $1,060 | $-230 (-18%) |
| Grimes, IA | 24.1 mi | $1,180 | $-110 (-9%) |
| Waukee, IA | 28.9 mi | $1,390 | +$100 (+8%) |
| Newton, IA | 29.7 mi | $920 | $-370 (-29%) |
| Ames, IA | 29.9 mi | $1,130 | $-160 (-12%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Altoona — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Altoona?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Altoona, Iowa is $1,290 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $1,436.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Altoona?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $51,600 ($4,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Altoona expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Altoona's 2-bedroom median of $1,290 is +22% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 26th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Altoona rank for 2-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 2-bedroom data, Altoona ranks #27 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Altoona?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Pleasant Hill ($1,270), Des Moines ($1,158), Norwalk ($1,260).