How much does it cost to rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cedar Rapids, IA is $1,288. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cedar Rapids cheaper than other Iowa cities?

Cedar Rapids falls in the middle range for Iowa, ranking #14 out of 32 cities at $1,288/mo.

When was Cedar Rapids rent data last updated?

Cedar Rapids rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IA

Cedar Rapids

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cedar Rapids, IA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 137,264·14th most expensive in Iowa·Cedar Rapids rents are up 17.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,288/mo

Year-over-Year

+17.9%

Month-over-Month

+3.4%

vs US Median

-$677

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cedar Rapids · $1,288

More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

20/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% above what Cedar Rapids's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,288/mo

Expected by trend

$1,121/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

Research median

$1,038/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

$15,456/yr

At $1,288/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 17.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+17.9% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $1,288

up 35.2%

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 $1,288, a 35.2% 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

Discussions about Cedar Rapids

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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 $1,288/mo, how Cedar Rapids rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 17.8% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 25% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 21.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 12.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 9.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 26.7% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 29.6% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 24% income

affordable

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,288/mo as of July 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 17.9% 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 $1,288/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 $1,288/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 17.9% over the past year as of July 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 ($1,205/mo), 52403 ($1,215/mo), and 52402 ($1,256/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,288/mo.

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

Cedar Rapids is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #14 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,288/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cedar Rapids ($1,288/mo): Coralville ($1,263/mo), Marion ($1,278/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 $1,288/mo is $677 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #14 out of 32 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,288/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 →

Nearby cities