1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Johnston, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Johnston, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,382 and +15% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Johnston
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Johnston
Compare Johnston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Marion | $720 |
| 4 | Boone | $730 |
| 5 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 7 | Waterloo | $740 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $750 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 10 | Davenport | $822 |
| 11 | Burlington | $830 |
| 12 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 13 | Sioux City | $850 |
| 14 | Pella | $870 |
| 15 | Coralville | $890 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston (this page) | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $980 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 14 | Des Moines | $970 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $967 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Johnston.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Johnston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 5.5 mi | $1,110 | $-70 (-6%) |
| Grimes, IA | 6.2 mi | $990 | $-190 (-16%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 8.3 mi | $1,210 | +$30 (+3%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | $970 | $-210 (-18%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,110 | $-70 (-6%) |
| Waukee, IA | 13 mi | $1,160 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,050 | $-130 (-11%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 17.3 mi | $1,060 | $-120 (-10%) |
| Altoona, IA | 17.9 mi | $1,080 | $-100 (-8%) |
| Ames, IA | 24.4 mi | $1,015 | $-165 (-14%) |
| Indianola, IA | 26.2 mi | $890 | $-290 (-25%) |
| Boone, IA | 29 mi | $730 | $-450 (-38%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Johnston — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Johnston?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Johnston, Iowa is $1,180 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,382.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Johnston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $47,200 ($3,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnston expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Johnston's 1-bedroom median of $1,180 is +15% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 34th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Johnston rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Johnston ranks #31 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Johnston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Urbandale ($1,110), Grimes ($990), Des Moines ($970).