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City Report · IA

Johnston

Pop. 24,384·7th most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,382/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.0%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
-$583
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Johnston · $1,382
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,382/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$106,551/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Johnston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,110
1 BR
$1,180
2 BR
$1,410
3 BR
$1,890
4 BR+
$1,900
Research median
$1,410/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,584/yr
At $1,382/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.0% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Johnston, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 57.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,384
Median income
$106,551
Median age
37.4
Renters
29.2%
Age distribution
30.5%
16.2%
28.8%
15.3%
Under 1830.5%
18–3416.2%
35–5428.8%
55–649.2%
65+15.3%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
76.6%
White76.6%
Black10.6%
Hispanic2.7%
Asian7.3%
Other2.8%
Education (25+)
13.7%
25.4%
57.8%
No HS diploma3.1%
HS diploma13.7%
Some college25.4%
Bachelor's+57.8%
Housing tenure
70.8%
29.2%
Owner70.8%
Renter29.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Johnston, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$93,363 → $106,551
up 14.1%
Population
23,418 → 24,384
up 4.1%
Renter share
29.2% → 29.2%
+0.0 pts
Bachelor's+
54.6% → 57.8%
+3.2 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $93,363 in 2021 to $106,551 more recently. Census counts show Johnston, IA adding about 966 residents over the five-year window, up 4.1% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 54.6% to 57.8% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Johnston

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View Johnston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Johnston on your salary?

At $1,382/mo, how Johnston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Johnston rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Johnston

About renting in Johnston, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Johnston is $1,382/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,110/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,890/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($106,551/yr), Johnston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Johnston an affordable city for renters?

Johnston is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,382/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($106,551/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Johnston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Johnston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,382/mo in Johnston. The local median household income is $106,551/yr, meaning the typical Johnston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Johnston?

Rent in Johnston has decreased 2.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Johnston rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Johnston is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #7 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,382/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Johnston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Johnston ($1,382/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Urbandale ($1,197/mo), West Des Moines ($1,369/mo).

What percentage of Johnston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.2% of Johnston households are renters, while 70.8% are owner-occupied. Johnston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Johnston rent compare to the national average?

Johnston's median rent of $1,382/mo is $583 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #7 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,382/mo, rent takes ~16% of Johnston's median household income ($106,551/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Johnston 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Johnston affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Johnston, IA

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