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City Report · IA

Cedar Falls

Pop. 40,888·16th most expensive in Iowa·Cedar Falls rents have dropped 6.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,264/mo
Year-over-Year
-6.0%
Month-over-Month
-8.1%
vs US Median
-$701
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cedar Falls · $1,264
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
69/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Cedar Falls's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,264/mo
Expected by trend
$1,395/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cedar Falls's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$850
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,460
4 BR+
$1,880
Research median
$1,120/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
$15,168/yr
At $1,264/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 6.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-6.0% YoY, -8.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cedar Falls, IA is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 50.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,888
Median income
$76,987
Median age
29.3
Renters
36%
Age distribution
17.4%
38.7%
19.7%
16%
Under 1817.4%
18–3438.7%
35–5419.7%
55–648.1%
65+16%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
91.7%
White91.7%
Black1.4%
Hispanic2.2%
Asian3.3%
Other1.4%
Education (25+)
20.9%
26.5%
50.4%
No HS diploma2.2%
HS diploma20.9%
Some college26.5%
Bachelor's+50.4%
Housing tenure
64%
36%
Owner64%
Renter36%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cedar Falls, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,154 → $1,264
up 9.5%
Income
$66,838 → $76,987
up 15.2%
Population
40,500 → 40,888
up 1.0%
Renter share
36.2% → 36%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
48.7% → 50.4%
+1.7 pts
Median age
28 → 29.3
+1.3 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cedar Falls, IA has shifted from $1,154 to $1,264, up 9.5% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $66,838 in 2021 to $76,987 more recently. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Cedar Falls, IA adding about 388 residents over the five-year window, up 1.0% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Cedar Falls, IA market of 2021.

Community

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View Cedar Falls rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cedar Falls on your salary?

At $1,264/mo, how Cedar Falls rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cedar Falls rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cedar Falls

About renting in Cedar Falls, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,264/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,460/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($76,987/yr), Cedar Falls ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 6.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cedar Falls an affordable city for renters?

Cedar Falls is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,264/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($76,987/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cedar Falls falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cedar Falls?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,264/mo in Cedar Falls. The local median household income is $76,987/yr, meaning the typical Cedar Falls household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cedar Falls?

Rent in Cedar Falls has decreased 6.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Cedar Falls rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Cedar Falls is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #16 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,264/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cedar Falls?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cedar Falls ($1,264/mo): Waterloo ($898/mo), Marshalltown ($930/mo), Newton ($962/mo).

What percentage of Cedar Falls residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36% of Cedar Falls households are renters, while 64% are owner-occupied. Cedar Falls leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cedar Falls rent compare to the national average?

Cedar Falls's median rent of $1,264/mo is $701 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #16 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,264/mo, rent takes ~20% of Cedar Falls's median household income ($76,987/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cedar Falls, IA

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