3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Iowa City, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Iowa City, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +28% higher than the citywide median of $1,271 and +24% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $1,130 |
| 2 | Clinton | $1,150 |
| 3 | Fort Dodge | $1,160 |
| 4 | Marshalltown | $1,250 |
| 5 | Waterloo | $1,267 |
| 6 | Newton | $1,270 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $1,290 |
| 8 | Sioux City | $1,300 |
| 9 | Boone | $1,320 |
| 10 | Marion | $1,320 |
| 11 | Davenport | $1,322 |
| 12 | Pella | $1,330 |
| 13 | Burlington | $1,350 |
| 14 | Adel | $1,360 |
| 15 | Indianola | $1,420 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,940 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,890 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,870 |
| 4 | North Liberty | $1,790 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,785 |
| 6 | West Des Moines | $1,775 |
| 7 | Altoona | $1,730 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,700 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,690 |
| 10 | Iowa City (this page) | $1,623 |
| 11 | Grimes | $1,580 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $1,580 |
| 13 | Ames | $1,580 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $1,553 |
| 15 | Coralville | $1,500 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Iowa City.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Iowa City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville, IA | 5.7 mi | $1,500 | $-123 (-8%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 10.8 mi | $1,790 | +$167 (+10%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.1 mi | $1,458 | $-165 (-10%) |
| Marion, IA | 28.5 mi | $1,320 | $-303 (-19%) |
| Burlington, IA | 61.5 mi | $1,350 | $-273 (-17%) |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $1,322 | $-301 (-19%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 66.8 mi | $1,290 | $-333 (-21%) |
| Moline, IL | 72.3 mi | $1,320 | $-303 (-19%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 73.1 mi | $1,580 | $-43 (-3%) |
| Waterloo, IA | 78.5 mi | $1,267 | $-356 (-22%) |
| Dubuque, IA | 84.2 mi | $1,290 | $-333 (-21%) |
| Clinton, IA | 89.5 mi | $1,150 | $-473 (-29%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Iowa City — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Iowa City?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Iowa City, Iowa is $1,623 per month. This is +28% higher than the citywide median of $1,271.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Iowa City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $64,920 ($5,410/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.21/hour at a full-time job.
Is Iowa City expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Iowa City's 3-bedroom median of $1,623 is +24% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 23th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Iowa City rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Iowa City ranks #24 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Iowa City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Coralville ($1,500), Cedar Rapids ($1,458), Marion ($1,320).