Studio Apartment Rent in Altoona, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Altoona, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +32% lower than the citywide median of $1,475 and +22% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Altoona
Compare Altoona's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $663 |
| 4 | Clinton | $670 |
| 5 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 6 | Davenport | $698 |
| 7 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 9 | Newton | $710 |
| 10 | Boone | $720 |
| 11 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 12 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 13 | Burlington | $750 |
| 14 | Pella | $760 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona (this page) | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 14 | Iowa City | $853 |
| 15 | Indianola | $830 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Altoona.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Altoona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 4.5 mi | $1,000 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 11.3 mi | $1,135 | +$125 (+12%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 12.7 mi | $909 | $-101 (-10%) |
| Johnston, IA | 17.9 mi | $1,110 | +$100 (+10%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 21 mi | $1,045 | +$35 (+3%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 21.4 mi | $990 | $-20 (-2%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 22.3 mi | $1,040 | +$30 (+3%) |
| Indianola, IA | 23.1 mi | $830 | $-180 (-18%) |
| Grimes, IA | 24.1 mi | $930 | $-80 (-8%) |
| Waukee, IA | 28.9 mi | $1,090 | +$80 (+8%) |
| Newton, IA | 29.7 mi | $710 | $-300 (-30%) |
| Ames, IA | 29.9 mi | $935 | $-75 (-7%) |
Studio rent in Altoona — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Altoona?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Altoona, Iowa is $1,010 per month. This is +32% below the citywide median of $1,475.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Altoona?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $40,400 ($3,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.42/hour at a full-time job.
Is Altoona expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Altoona's studio median of $1,010 is +22% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 27th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Altoona rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with studio data, Altoona ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Altoona?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Pleasant Hill ($1,000), Des Moines ($909), Norwalk ($990).