3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Fort Dodge, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Fort Dodge, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +38% higher than the citywide median of $843 and +46% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Fort Dodge
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Dodge
Compare Fort Dodge's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Fort Dodge (this page) | $1,160 |
| 3 | Marshalltown | $1,250 |
| 4 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 5 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 6 | Dubuque | $1,290 |
| 7 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 8 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 9 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 10 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 11 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 12 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 13 | Indianola | $1,420 |
| 14 | Cedar Rapids | $1,458 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $1,460 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,785 |
| 6 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 7 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 10 | Tiffin | $1,650 |
| 11 | Iowa City | $1,623 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 14 | Ames | $1,580 |
| 15 | Des Moines | $1,553 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than Fort Dodge.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone, IA | 36.1 mi | $1,320 | +$160 (+14%) |
| Ames, IA | 49.3 mi | $1,580 | +$420 (+36%) |
| Grimes, IA | 60.8 mi | $1,580 | +$420 (+36%) |
| Johnston, IA | 64.3 mi | $1,890 | +$730 (+63%) |
| Waukee, IA | 65.8 mi | $1,870 | +$710 (+61%) |
| Urbandale, IA | 66.4 mi | $1,785 | +$625 (+54%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 66.8 mi | $1,940 | +$780 (+67%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 70.5 mi | $1,775 | +$615 (+53%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 72.8 mi | $1,553 | +$393 (+34%) |
| Altoona, IA | 77.3 mi | $1,730 | +$570 (+49%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 79.1 mi | $1,690 | +$530 (+46%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 79.2 mi | $1,700 | +$540 (+47%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Fort Dodge — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Fort Dodge?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Fort Dodge, Iowa is $1,160 per month. This is +38% higher than the citywide median of $843.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Fort Dodge?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,400 ($3,867/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Dodge expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Fort Dodge's 3-bedroom median of $1,160 is +46% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 1th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Fort Dodge rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Fort Dodge ranks #2 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Fort Dodge?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher 3-bedroom rents than Fort Dodge.