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City Report · IA

Grimes

Pop. 16,366·6th most expensive in Iowa·Rental market data updated monthly for Grimes, IA
Median rent (all units)
$1,435/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.3%
Month-over-Month
-2.0%
vs US Median
-$530
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Grimes · $1,435
More affordable than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
14% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,435/mo, rent takes about 14% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/yr
Local median income
$120,037/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Grimes's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$990
2 BR
$1,180
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,590
Research median
$1,180/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
$17,220/yr
At $1,435/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.3% YoY, -2.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Grimes, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 51.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,366
Median income
$120,037
Median age
35.4
Renters
29.1%
Age distribution
27.5%
22%
32.8%
Under 1827.5%
18–3422%
35–5432.8%
55–6410.3%
65+7.3%
Gender
52.3%
47.7%
Male52.3%
Female47.7%
Race & ethnicity
83.6%
White83.6%
Black6.2%
Hispanic5.3%
Asian4.6%
Education (25+)
22.9%
24.9%
51.5%
No HS diploma0.7%
HS diploma22.9%
Some college24.9%
Bachelor's+51.5%
Housing tenure
70.9%
29.1%
Owner70.9%
Renter29.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Grimes, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$90,456 → $120,037
up 32.7%
Population
14,842 → 16,366
up 10.3%
Renter share
31.3% → 29.1%
-2.2 pts
Bachelor's+
42.3% → 51.5%
+9.2 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Grimes, IA now reports about $120,037, up from $90,456 in 2021. Census counts show Grimes, IA adding about 1,524 residents over the five-year window, up 10.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 31.3% to 29.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 42.3% to 51.5% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Grimes

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View Grimes rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Grimes on your salary?

At $1,435/mo, how Grimes rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Grimes rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Grimes

About renting in Grimes, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Grimes is $1,435/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,180/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $990/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 14% of local median household income ($120,037/yr), Grimes ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Grimes an affordable city for renters?

Grimes is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,435/mo, rent takes approximately 14% of the local median household income ($120,037/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Grimes falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Grimes?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,435/mo in Grimes. The local median household income is $120,037/yr, meaning the typical Grimes household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Grimes?

Rent in Grimes has increased 4.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Grimes rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Grimes is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #6 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,435/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Grimes?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Grimes ($1,435/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Urbandale ($1,197/mo), West Des Moines ($1,369/mo).

What percentage of Grimes residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.1% of Grimes households are renters, while 70.9% are owner-occupied. Grimes leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Grimes rent compare to the national average?

Grimes's median rent of $1,435/mo is $530 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #6 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
14%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,435/mo, rent takes ~14% of Grimes's median household income ($120,037/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Grimes 14%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Grimes affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Grimes, IA

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