Studio Apartment Rent in Iowa City, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Iowa City, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,308 and +34% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $663 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 5 | Davenport | $698 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 8 | Newton | $710 |
| 9 | Boone | $720 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 12 | Burlington | $750 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
| 15 | Coralville | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 15 | Iowa City (this page) | $853 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Iowa City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Iowa City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coralville, IA | 5.7 mi | $790 | $-63 (-7%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 10.8 mi | $950 | +$97 (+11%) |
| Tiffin, IA | 10.9 mi | $870 | +$17 (+2%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.1 mi | $720 | $-133 (-16%) |
| Marion, IA | 28.5 mi | $640 | $-213 (-25%) |
| Burlington, IA | 61.5 mi | $750 | $-103 (-12%) |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $698 | $-155 (-18%) |
| Rock Island, IL | 66.8 mi | $680 | $-173 (-20%) |
| Moline, IL | 72.3 mi | $700 | $-153 (-18%) |
| Bettendorf, IA | 73.1 mi | $830 | $-23 (-3%) |
| Waterloo, IA | 78.5 mi | $663 | $-190 (-22%) |
| Dubuque, IA | 84.2 mi | $710 | $-143 (-17%) |
Studio rent in Iowa City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Iowa City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Iowa City, Iowa is $853 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,308.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Iowa City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,120 ($2,843/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Iowa City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Iowa City's studio median of $853 is +34% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 14th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Iowa City rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, Iowa City ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Iowa City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Coralville ($790), Cedar Rapids ($720), Marion ($640).