3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Johnston, IA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Johnston, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +32% higher than the citywide median of $1,432 and +11% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 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 (this page) | $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 | $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 Johnston.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Johnston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 5.5 mi | $1,785 | $-105 (-6%) |
| Grimes, IA | 6.2 mi | $1,580 | $-310 (-16%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 8.3 mi | $1,940 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | $1,553 | $-337 (-18%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,775 | $-115 (-6%) |
| Waukee, IA | 13 mi | $1,870 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 16.4 mi | $1,690 | $-200 (-11%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 17.3 mi | $1,700 | $-190 (-10%) |
| Altoona, IA | 17.9 mi | $1,730 | $-160 (-8%) |
| Adel, IA | 23.3 mi | $1,360 | $-530 (-28%) |
| Ames, IA | 24.4 mi | $1,580 | $-310 (-16%) |
| Indianola, IA | 26.2 mi | $1,420 | $-470 (-25%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Johnston — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Johnston?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Johnston, Iowa is $1,890 per month. This is +32% higher than the citywide median of $1,432.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Johnston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $75,600 ($6,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnston expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Johnston's 3-bedroom median of $1,890 is +11% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 38th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Johnston rank for 3-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 3-bedroom data, Johnston ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Johnston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Urbandale ($1,785), Grimes ($1,580), Des Moines ($1,553).