City Report · IA

Bettendorf

Pop. 39,647·6th most expensive in Iowa·Bettendorf rents are up 11.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,386/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.4%
Month-over-Month
+4.5%
vs US Median
-$576
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bettendorf · $1,386
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
40/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% above what Bettendorf's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,386/mo
Expected by trend
$1,321/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bettendorf's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,860
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,210/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,386 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,632/yr
At $1,386/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.4% YoY, +4.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bettendorf, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 50.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
39,647
Median income
$100,495
Median age
40.9
Renters
25%
Age distribution
25.8%
16.3%
27.5%
18.8%
Under 1825.8%
18–3416.3%
35–5427.5%
55–6411.6%
65+18.8%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
81.6%
White81.6%
Black2.6%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian7%
Other3.2%
Education (25+)
17.5%
27.7%
50.7%
No HS diploma4.1%
HS diploma17.5%
Some college27.7%
Bachelor's+50.7%
Housing tenure
75%
25%
Owner75%
Renter25%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Bettendorf, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,061 → $1,386
up 30.6%
Income
$89,375 → $100,495
up 12.4%
Population
38,631 → 39,647
up 2.6%
Renter share
24.8% → 25%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
51.1% → 50.7%
-0.4 pts
Median age
38.9 → 40.9
+2.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Bettendorf, IA has shifted from $1,061 to $1,386, up 30.6% since 2022. Census figures show median household income at $100,495 today, compared with $89,375 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bettendorf, IA adding about 1,016 residents over the five-year window, up 2.6% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

Discussions about Bettendorf

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

Can you afford rent in Bettendorf on your salary?

At $1,386/mo, how Bettendorf rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bettendorf rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bettendorf

About renting in Bettendorf, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bettendorf is $1,386/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($100,495/yr), Bettendorf ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bettendorf an affordable city for renters?

Bettendorf is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,386/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($100,495/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bettendorf falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bettendorf?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,386/mo in Bettendorf. The local median household income is $100,495/yr, meaning the typical Bettendorf household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bettendorf?

Rent in Bettendorf has increased 11.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bettendorf rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Bettendorf is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #6 out of 33 tracked cities at $1,386/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bettendorf?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bettendorf ($1,386/mo): Clinton ($775/mo), Rock Island ($911/mo), Davenport ($960/mo).

What percentage of Bettendorf residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25% of Bettendorf households are renters, while 75% are owner-occupied. Bettendorf leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bettendorf rent compare to the national average?

Bettendorf's median rent of $1,386/mo is $576 (29%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #6 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,386/mo, rent takes ~17% of Bettendorf's median household income ($100,495/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bettendorf 17%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Bettendorf affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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