Studio Apartment Rent in Johnston, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Johnston, Iowa as of October 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,356 and +14% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Johnston
Compare Johnston'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 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 7 | Newton | $710 |
| 8 | Boone | $720 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 10 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 11 | Burlington | $750 |
| 12 | Le Claire | $760 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Urbandale | $765 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston (this page) | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 5 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 6 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 7 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 8 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 9 | Ames | $935 |
| 10 | Grimes | $930 |
| 11 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 14 | Iowa City | $853 |
| 15 | Indianola | $830 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Johnston.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Johnston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | 5.5 mi | $765 | $-345 (-31%) |
| Grimes, IA | 6.2 mi | $930 | $-180 (-16%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 8.3 mi | $1,135 | +$25 (+2%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | $909 | $-201 (-18%) |
| West Des Moines, IA | 9.8 mi | $1,040 | $-70 (-6%) |
| Waukee, IA | 13 mi | $1,090 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 16.4 mi | $990 | $-120 (-11%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 17.3 mi | $1,000 | $-110 (-10%) |
| Altoona, IA | 17.9 mi | $1,010 | $-100 (-9%) |
| Ames, IA | 24.4 mi | $935 | $-175 (-16%) |
| Indianola, IA | 26.2 mi | $830 | $-280 (-25%) |
| Boone, IA | 29 mi | $720 | $-390 (-35%) |
Studio rent in Johnston — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Johnston?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Johnston, Iowa is $1,110 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,356.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Johnston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $44,400 ($3,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnston expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Johnston's studio median of $1,110 is +14% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 35th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Johnston rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, Johnston ranks #31 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Johnston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Urbandale ($765), Grimes ($930), Des Moines ($909).