How much does it cost to rent in Iowa City, IA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Iowa City, IA is $1,308. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Iowa City cheaper than other Iowa cities?

Iowa City falls in the middle range for Iowa, ranking #13 out of 32 cities at $1,308/mo.

When was Iowa City rent data last updated?

Iowa City 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

Iowa City

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

Pop. 75,752·13th most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,308/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.7%

Month-over-Month

-1.1%

vs US Median

-$657

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Iowa City · $1,308

More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

46/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% above what Iowa City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,308/mo

Expected by trend

$1,280/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Iowa City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$853

1 BR

$967

2 BR

$1,160

3 BR

$1,623

4 BR+

$1,950

Research median

$1,160/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

$15,696/yr

At $1,308/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 (+2.7% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Iowa City, IA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 60.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

75,752

Median income

$58,546

Median age

26.2

Renters

52.8%

Age distribution

14.3%

47.8%

17.9%

12.3%

Under 1814.3%

18–3447.8%

35–5417.9%

55–647.6%

65+12.3%

Gender

48.9%

51.1%

Male48.9%

Female51.1%

Race & ethnicity

72.6%

White72.6%

Black9.5%

Hispanic8.1%

Asian7.1%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

13.7%

22.3%

60.5%

No HS diploma3.5%

HS diploma13.7%

Some college22.3%

Bachelor's+60.5%

Housing tenure

47.2%

52.8%

Owner47.2%

Renter52.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Iowa City, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,056 → $1,308

up 23.9%

Income

$51,925 → $58,546

up 12.8%

Population

74,240 → 75,752

up 2.0%

Renter share

53.5% → 52.8%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

59.8% → 60.5%

+0.7 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Iowa City, IA has shifted from $1,056 to $1,308, up 23.9% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $51,925 in 2021 to $58,546 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Iowa City, IA adding about 1,512 residents over the five-year window, up 2.0% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Iowa City, IA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Iowa City

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View Iowa City rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Iowa City on your salary?

At $1,308/mo, how Iowa City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 18.1% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 22.1% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 12.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 9.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 30.1% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 24.4% income

affordable

By apartment size

Iowa City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Iowa City

About renting in Iowa City, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Iowa City is $1,308/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $853/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $967/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,623/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($58,546/yr), Iowa City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Iowa City an affordable city for renters?

Iowa City is considered affordable for renters. At $1,308/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($58,546/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Iowa City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Iowa City?

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 $1,308/mo in Iowa City. The local median household income is $58,546/yr, meaning the typical Iowa City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Iowa City?

Rent in Iowa City has increased 2.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Iowa City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Iowa City are 52240 ($1,234/mo), 52246 ($1,307/mo), and 52245 ($1,468/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Iowa City is $1,308/mo.

How does Iowa City rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Iowa City is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #13 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,308/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Iowa City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Iowa City ($1,308/mo): Coralville ($1,263/mo), Marion ($1,278/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,288/mo).

What percentage of Iowa City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.8% of Iowa City households are renters, while 47.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Iowa City has a strong rental market.