3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Ames, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Ames, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +40% higher than the citywide median of $1,125 and +26% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Ames
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 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Ames
Compare Ames's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Fort Dodge | $1,160 |
| 3 | Marshalltown | $1,250 |
| 4 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 5 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 6 | Dubuque | $1,290 |
| 7 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 8 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 9 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 10 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 11 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 12 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 13 | Indianola | $1,420 |
| 14 | Cedar Rapids | $1,458 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $1,460 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,785 |
| 6 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 7 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 10 | Tiffin | $1,650 |
| 11 | Iowa City | $1,623 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 14 | Ames (this page) | $1,580 |
| 15 | Des Moines | $1,553 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Ames.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Ames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone, IA | 15.7 mi | $1,320 | $-260 (-16%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 21.7 mi | $1,940 | +$360 (+23%) |
| Johnston, IA | 24.4 mi | $1,890 | +$310 (+20%) |
| Grimes, IA | 25.9 mi | $1,580 | — |
| Urbandale, IA | 29.4 mi | $1,785 | +$205 (+13%) |
| Altoona, IA | 29.9 mi | $1,730 | +$150 (+9%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,553 | $-27 (-2%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 33 mi | $1,700 | +$120 (+8%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34.1 mi | $1,775 | +$195 (+12%) |
| Waukee, IA | 34.7 mi | $1,870 | +$290 (+18%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 40.5 mi | $1,690 | +$110 (+7%) |
| Newton, IA | 47.6 mi | $1,270 | $-310 (-20%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Ames — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Ames?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Ames, Iowa is $1,580 per month. This is +40% higher than the citywide median of $1,125.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Ames?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $63,200 ($5,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ames expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Ames's 3-bedroom median of $1,580 is +26% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 21th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ames rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Ames ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Ames?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Boone ($1,320), Des Moines ($1,553), Newton ($1,270).