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City Report · IA

Indianola

Pop. 16,044·7th most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,382/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+10.7%
vs US Median
-$583
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Indianola · $1,382
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,382/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$75,453/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Indianola's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$830
1 BR
$890
2 BR
$1,060
3 BR
$1,420
4 BR+
$1,430
Research median
$1,060/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
$16,584/yr
At $1,382/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +10.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Indianola, IA is majority owner-occupied, 35% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,044
Median income
$75,453
Median age
35.9
Renters
30.1%
Age distribution
22.4%
25.9%
23.2%
18.1%
Under 1822.4%
18–3425.9%
35–5423.2%
55–6410.4%
65+18.1%
Gender
47.4%
52.6%
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Race & ethnicity
92.9%
White92.9%
Black1.3%
Hispanic2.9%
Asian0.9%
Other2%
Education (25+)
25.4%
36.9%
35%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college36.9%
Bachelor's+35%
Housing tenure
69.9%
30.1%
Owner69.9%
Renter30.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Indianola, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,206 → $75,453
up 12.3%
Population
15,544 → 16,044
up 3.2%
Renter share
32.4% → 30.1%
-2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
32.5% → 35%
+2.5 pts
Median age
35.4 → 35.9
+0.5 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $67,206 to $75,453 across the same window, up 12.3% versus 2021. Census counts show Indianola, IA adding about 500 residents over the five-year window, up 3.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 32.4% to 30.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 32.5% to 35% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Indianola

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

Can you afford rent in Indianola on your salary?

At $1,382/mo, how Indianola rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Indianola rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Indianola

About renting in Indianola, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Indianola is $1,382/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $830/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,060/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,420/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($75,453/yr), Indianola ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Indianola an affordable city for renters?

Indianola is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,382/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($75,453/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Indianola falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Indianola?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,382/mo in Indianola. The local median household income is $75,453/yr, meaning the typical Indianola household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Indianola?

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

How does Indianola rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Indianola is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #7 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,382/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Indianola?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Indianola ($1,382/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Norwalk ($1,189/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,346/mo).

What percentage of Indianola residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.1% of Indianola households are renters, while 69.9% are owner-occupied. Indianola leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Indianola rent compare to the national average?

Indianola's median rent of $1,382/mo is $583 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #7 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,382/mo, rent takes ~22% of Indianola's median household income ($75,453/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Indianola 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Indianola affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Indianola, IA

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