2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Iowa City, IA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Iowa City, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +11% lower than the citywide median of $1,308 and +30% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $880 |
| 2 | Newton | $920 |
| 3 | Boone | $940 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $940 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $950 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $970 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $980 |
| 9 | Davenport | $1,014 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $1,038 |
| 11 | Indianola | $1,060 |
| 12 | Coralville | $1,070 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $1,080 |
| 14 | Burlington | $1,090 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs | $1,100 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,445 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,410 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,390 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,330 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,325 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,290 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,280 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,270 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,260 |
| 10 | Bettendorf | $1,210 |
| 11 | Tiffin | $1,180 |
| 12 | Grimes | $1,180 |
| 13 | Iowa City (this page) | $1,160 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,158 |
| 15 | Ames | $1,130 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Iowa City.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Iowa City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville, IA | 5.7 mi | $1,070 | $-90 (-8%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 10.8 mi | $1,280 | +$120 (+10%) |
| Tiffin, IA | 10.9 mi | $1,180 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.1 mi | $1,038 | $-122 (-11%) |
| Marion, IA | 28.5 mi | $940 | $-220 (-19%) |
| Burlington, IA | 61.5 mi | $1,090 | $-70 (-6%) |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $1,014 | $-146 (-13%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 66.8 mi | $990 | $-170 (-15%) |
| Moline, IL | 72.3 mi | $1,010 | $-150 (-13%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 73.1 mi | $1,210 | +$50 (+4%) |
| Waterloo, IA | 78.5 mi | $970 | $-190 (-16%) |
| Dubuque, IA | 84.2 mi | $980 | $-180 (-16%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Iowa City — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Iowa City?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Iowa City, Iowa is $1,160 per month. This is +11% below the citywide median of $1,308.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Iowa City?
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 Iowa City expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Iowa City's 2-bedroom median of $1,160 is +30% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 17th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Iowa City rank for 2-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 2-bedroom data, Iowa City ranks #20 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Iowa City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Coralville ($1,070), Cedar Rapids ($1,038), Marion ($940).