4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in Ames, IA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in Ames, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +68% higher than the citywide median of $1,125 and +25% below the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,250 |
| 2 | Marshalltown | $1,260 |
| 3 | Newton | $1,290 |
| 4 | Boone | $1,330 |
| 5 | Indianola | $1,430 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $1,430 |
| 7 | Burlington | $1,450 |
| 8 | Pella | $1,470 |
| 9 | Fort Dodge | $1,480 |
| 10 | Des Moines | $1,559 |
| 11 | Davenport | $1,562 |
| 12 | Marion | $1,580 |
| 13 | Grimes | $1,590 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | $1,625 |
| 15 | Waterloo | $1,630 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Liberty | $2,150 |
| 2 | Tiffin | $1,980 |
| 3 | Iowa City | $1,950 |
| 4 | Ankeny | $1,945 |
| 5 | Johnston | $1,900 |
| 6 | Ames (this page) | $1,890 |
| 7 | Cedar Falls | $1,880 |
| 8 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 9 | Bettendorf | $1,860 |
| 10 | Coralville | $1,800 |
| 11 | Urbandale | $1,790 |
| 12 | West Des Moines | $1,785 |
| 13 | Cedar Rapids | $1,745 |
| 14 | Altoona | $1,740 |
| 15 | Pleasant Hill | $1,710 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than Ames.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs Ames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone, IA | 15.7 mi | $1,330 | $-560 (-30%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 21.7 mi | $1,945 | +$55 (+3%) |
| Johnston, IA | 24.4 mi | $1,900 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Grimes, IA | 25.9 mi | $1,590 | $-300 (-16%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 29.4 mi | $1,790 | $-100 (-5%) |
| Altoona, IA | 29.9 mi | $1,740 | $-150 (-8%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 30.6 mi | $1,559 | $-331 (-18%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 33 mi | $1,710 | $-180 (-10%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34.1 mi | $1,785 | $-105 (-6%) |
| Waukee, IA | 34.7 mi | $1,870 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 40.5 mi | $1,700 | $-190 (-10%) |
| Newton, IA | 47.6 mi | $1,290 | $-600 (-32%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in Ames — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in Ames?
As of July 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in Ames, Iowa is $1,890 per month. This is +68% higher than the citywide median of $1,125.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in Ames?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $75,600 ($6,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ames expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Ames's 4+ bedroom median of $1,890 is +25% below the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,520. It ranks in the 24th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ames rank for 4+ bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 4+ bedroom data, Ames ranks #27 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near Ames?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include Boone ($1,330), Grimes ($1,590), Urbandale ($1,790).