1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Iowa City, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Iowa City, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $1,308 and +31% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Iowa City
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Iowa City
Compare Iowa City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Marion | $720 |
| 4 | Boone | $730 |
| 5 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $740 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $750 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 10 | Davenport | $822 |
| 11 | Burlington | $830 |
| 12 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $850 |
| 14 | Pella | $870 |
| 15 | Coralville | $890 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $980 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $970 |
| 15 | Iowa City (this page) | $967 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Iowa City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Iowa City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville, IA | 5.7 mi | $890 | $-77 (-8%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 10.8 mi | $1,070 | +$103 (+11%) |
| Tiffin, IA | 10.9 mi | $980 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.1 mi | $808 | $-159 (-16%) |
| Marion, IA | 28.5 mi | $720 | $-247 (-26%) |
| Burlington, IA | 61.5 mi | $830 | $-137 (-14%) |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $822 | $-145 (-15%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 66.8 mi | $800 | $-167 (-17%) |
| Moline, IL | 72.3 mi | $820 | $-147 (-15%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 73.1 mi | $980 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Waterloo, IA | 78.5 mi | $740 | $-227 (-23%) |
| Dubuque, IA | 84.2 mi | $750 | $-217 (-22%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Iowa City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Iowa City?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Iowa City, Iowa is $967 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $1,308.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Iowa City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $38,680 ($3,223/month gross), which works out to roughly $18.60/hour at a full-time job.
Is Iowa City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Iowa City's 1-bedroom median of $967 is +31% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 18th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Iowa City rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Iowa City ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Iowa City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Coralville ($890), Cedar Rapids ($808), Marion ($720).