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City Report · IA

Cedar Rapids

Pop. 137,264·12th most expensive in Iowa·Cedar Rapids rents are up 19.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,307/mo
Year-over-Year
+19.1%
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
-$655
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cedar Rapids · $1,307
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
18/100
Overheated
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% above what Cedar Rapids's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,307/mo
Expected by trend
$1,125/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cedar Rapids's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$720
1 BR
$808
2 BR
$1,038
3 BR
$1,458
4 BR+
$1,745
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,038/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,307 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
$15,684/yr
At $1,307/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 19.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+19.1% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cedar Rapids, IA is majority owner-occupied, 33.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
137,264
Median income
$70,424
Median age
37.3
Renters
31.5%
Age distribution
20.8%
25.9%
24.6%
16.7%
Under 1820.8%
18–3425.9%
35–5424.6%
55–6411.9%
65+16.7%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
79.1%
White79.1%
Black8.7%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian2.6%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
27%
34.2%
33.1%
No HS diploma5.7%
HS diploma27%
Some college34.2%
Bachelor's+33.1%
Housing tenure
68.5%
31.5%
Owner68.5%
Renter31.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cedar Rapids, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$953 → $1,307
up 37.1%
Income
$63,170 → $70,424
up 11.5%
Population
136,512 → 137,264
up 0.6%
Renter share
29.7% → 31.5%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
32.8% → 33.1%
+0.3 pts
Median age
36.4 → 37.3
+0.9 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Cedar Rapids, IA has climbed from $953 to $1,307, a 37.1% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $70,424 today, compared with $63,170 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 31.5% of households, compared with 29.7% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Cedar Rapids on your salary?

At $1,307/mo, how Cedar Rapids rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cedar Rapids rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cedar Rapids

About renting in Cedar Rapids, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,307/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,038/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $808/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,458/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($70,424/yr), Cedar Rapids ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 19.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cedar Rapids an affordable city for renters?

Cedar Rapids is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,307/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($70,424/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cedar Rapids falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,307/mo in Cedar Rapids. The local median household income is $70,424/yr, meaning the typical Cedar Rapids household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cedar Rapids?

Rent in Cedar Rapids has increased 19.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Cedar Rapids neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cedar Rapids are 52405 ($1,179/mo), 52403 ($1,216/mo), and 52402 ($1,304/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,307/mo.

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

Cedar Rapids is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #12 out of 33 tracked cities at $1,307/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cedar Rapids ($1,307/mo): Coralville ($1,235/mo), Iowa City ($1,271/mo).

What percentage of Cedar Rapids residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.5% of Cedar Rapids households are renters, while 68.5% are owner-occupied. Cedar Rapids leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cedar Rapids rent compare to the national average?

Cedar Rapids's median rent of $1,307/mo is $655 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #12 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,307/mo, rent takes ~22% of Cedar Rapids's median household income ($70,424/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cedar Rapids 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Cedar Rapids affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Cedar Rapids
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cedar Rapids, IA

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