At $1,356/mo, rent takes about 15% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,356 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Johnston changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Iowa cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.5%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($106,551) is $2,664 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,900).
Urbandale, 5 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,038/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Johnston. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Johnston, IA has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Johnston on your salary?
At $1,356/mo, how Johnston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Johnston rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Johnston. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Johnston
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Johnston is $1,356/mo as of October 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 15% of local median household income ($106,551/yr), Johnston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Johnston?
How does Johnston rent compare to other cities in Iowa?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Johnston?
At $1,356/mo, rent takes ~15% of Johnston's median household income ($106,551/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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