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City Report · IA

Fort Dodge

Pop. 24,827·31st most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$820/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.7%
vs US Median
-$1,142
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fort Dodge · $820
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $820/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$33,000/yr
Local median income
$60,649/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fort Dodge's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$670
1 BR
$670
2 BR
$880
3 BR
$1,160
4 BR+
$1,480
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$880/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $820 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
$9,840/yr
At $820/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fort Dodge, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,827
Median income
$60,649
Median age
37.6
Renters
35.6%
Age distribution
20.7%
26.1%
22.2%
19%
Under 1820.7%
18–3426.1%
35–5422.2%
55–6412%
65+19%
Gender
51.6%
48.4%
Male51.6%
Female48.4%
Race & ethnicity
82.7%
White82.7%
Black4.6%
Hispanic8.9%
Asian1.6%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
32.6%
37.5%
21.7%
No HS diploma8.2%
HS diploma32.6%
Some college37.5%
Bachelor's+21.7%
Housing tenure
64.4%
35.6%
Owner64.4%
Renter35.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fort Dodge, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$50,409 → $60,649
up 20.3%
Population
24,826 → 24,827
up 0.0%
Renter share
38.9% → 35.6%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
19.5% → 21.7%
+2.2 pts
Median age
37 → 37.6
+0.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $50,409 to $60,649 across the same window, up 20.3% versus 2021. About 35.6% of households rent today, against 38.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.5% to 21.7%.

Community

Discussions about Fort Dodge

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View Fort Dodge rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fort Dodge on your salary?

At $820/mo, how Fort Dodge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fort Dodge rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fort Dodge

About renting in Fort Dodge, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fort Dodge is $820/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $670/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $670/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,160/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($60,649/yr), Fort Dodge ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fort Dodge an affordable city for renters?

Fort Dodge is considered very affordable for renters. At $820/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($60,649/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fort Dodge falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fort Dodge?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $33,000/year (~$16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $820/mo in Fort Dodge. The local median household income is $60,649/yr, meaning the typical Fort Dodge household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fort Dodge?

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

How does Fort Dodge rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Fort Dodge is one of the more affordable cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #31 out of 33 tracked cities at $820/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fort Dodge?

Boone is nearby and more affordable at $770/mo, which is $50 less than Fort Dodge.

What percentage of Fort Dodge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.6% of Fort Dodge households are renters, while 64.4% are owner-occupied. Fort Dodge leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fort Dodge rent compare to the national average?

Fort Dodge's median rent of $820/mo is $1,142 (58%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #31 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $820/mo, rent takes ~16% of Fort Dodge's median household income ($60,649/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fort Dodge 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Fort Dodge affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fort Dodge, IA

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