RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IA

Ankeny

Pop. 72,615·4th most expensive in Iowa·Ankeny rents are up 7.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,520/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.0%
vs US Median
-$445
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Ankeny rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ankeny · $1,520
More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
51/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Ankeny's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,520/mo
Expected by trend
$1,525/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ankeny's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,135
1 BR
$1,210
2 BR
$1,445
3 BR
$1,940
4 BR+
$1,945
Research median
$1,445/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,240/yr
At $1,520/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.2% YoY, +2.0% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Ankeny, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 52.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
72,615
Median income
$108,198
Median age
33.6
Renters
28.7%
Age distribution
27.3%
25%
28.3%
Under 1827.3%
18–3425%
35–5428.3%
55–647.7%
65+11.7%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
88%
White88%
Black2.6%
Hispanic5.1%
Asian3.5%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
17.2%
28.5%
52.1%
No HS diploma2.2%
HS diploma17.2%
Some college28.5%
Bachelor's+52.1%
Housing tenure
71.3%
28.7%
Owner71.3%
Renter28.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ankeny, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,176 → $1,520
up 29.3%
Income
$92,959 → $108,198
up 16.4%
Population
66,346 → 72,615
up 9.4%
Renter share
28.2% → 28.7%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
51.5% → 52.1%
+0.6 pts
Median age
32.9 → 33.6
+0.7 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Ankeny, IA has increased from $1,176 to $1,520, a 29.3% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $108,198 today, compared with $92,959 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 9.4% since 2021, moving from about 66,346 residents to roughly 72,615. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Ankeny

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Ankeny rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ankeny on your salary?

At $1,520/mo, how Ankeny rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ankeny rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ankeny

About renting in Ankeny, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Ankeny is $1,520/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,135/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,445/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,210/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,940/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($108,198/yr), Ankeny ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ankeny an affordable city for renters?

Ankeny is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,520/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($108,198/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ankeny falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ankeny?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,520/mo in Ankeny. The local median household income is $108,198/yr, meaning the typical Ankeny household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ankeny?

Rent in Ankeny has increased 7.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Ankeny neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Ankeny are 50023 ($1,518/mo), and 50021 ($1,536/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Ankeny is $1,520/mo.

How does Ankeny rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Ankeny is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #4 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,520/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ankeny?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ankeny ($1,520/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Urbandale ($1,197/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,346/mo).

What percentage of Ankeny residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.7% of Ankeny households are renters, while 71.3% are owner-occupied. Ankeny leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ankeny rent compare to the national average?

Ankeny's median rent of $1,520/mo is $445 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #4 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,520/mo, rent takes ~17% of Ankeny's median household income ($108,198/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ankeny 17%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Ankeny affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Ankeny
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ankeny, IA

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Ankeny.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.