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City Report · IA

Burlington

Pop. 23,728·25th most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$983/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.6%
vs US Median
-$982
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Burlington · $983
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $983/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$39,000/yr
Local median income
$59,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Burlington's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$830
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,350
4 BR+
$1,450
Research median
$1,090/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$11,796/yr
At $983/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Burlington, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,728
Median income
$59,000
Median age
42.5
Renters
29.4%
Age distribution
22.4%
19%
23.7%
13.3%
21.5%
Under 1822.4%
18–3419%
35–5423.7%
55–6413.3%
65+21.5%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
82.1%
White82.1%
Black6.7%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian1.5%
Other4.9%
Education (25+)
34.8%
36.3%
22.5%
No HS diploma6.4%
HS diploma34.8%
Some college36.3%
Bachelor's+22.5%
Housing tenure
70.6%
29.4%
Owner70.6%
Renter29.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Burlington, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,013 → $59,000
up 22.9%
Population
24,160 → 23,728
down 1.8%
Renter share
34.4% → 29.4%
-5.0 pts
Bachelor's+
20.5% → 22.5%
+2.0 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $48,013 in 2021 to $59,000 more recently. The population has contracted by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 24,160 residents to roughly 23,728. Renters now make up 29.4% of households, compared with 34.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 22.5% of adults here, versus 20.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Burlington

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

Can you afford rent in Burlington on your salary?

At $983/mo, how Burlington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Burlington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Burlington

About renting in Burlington, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Burlington is $983/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($59,000/yr), Burlington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Burlington an affordable city for renters?

Burlington is considered very affordable for renters. At $983/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($59,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Burlington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Burlington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $39,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $983/mo in Burlington. The local median household income is $59,000/yr, meaning the typical Burlington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Burlington?

Rent in Burlington has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Burlington rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Burlington is one of the more affordable cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #25 out of 32 tracked cities at $983/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Burlington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Burlington ($983/mo): Rock Island ($918/mo), Macomb ($919/mo), Davenport ($949/mo).

What percentage of Burlington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.4% of Burlington households are renters, while 70.6% are owner-occupied. Burlington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Burlington rent compare to the national average?

Burlington's median rent of $983/mo is $982 (50%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #25 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $983/mo, rent takes ~20% of Burlington's median household income ($59,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Burlington 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Burlington affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Burlington, IA

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