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City Report · IA

Newton

Pop. 15,700·25th most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$992/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
-$970
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Newton · $992
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $992/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$57,771/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Newton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$710
1 BR
$710
2 BR
$920
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,290
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$920/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $992 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$11,904/yr
At $992/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Newton, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,700
Median income
$57,771
Median age
42.6
Renters
38.5%
Age distribution
20.8%
19.6%
24.3%
13.7%
21.5%
Under 1820.8%
18–3419.6%
35–5424.3%
55–6413.7%
65+21.5%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
87.9%
White87.9%
Black1.5%
Hispanic5.7%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
42.2%
31.5%
19.5%
No HS diploma6.8%
HS diploma42.2%
Some college31.5%
Bachelor's+19.5%
Housing tenure
61.5%
38.5%
Owner61.5%
Renter38.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Newton, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,026 → $57,771
up 13.2%
Population
15,688 → 15,700
up 0.1%
Renter share
30.7% → 38.5%
+7.8 pts
Bachelor's+
16.5% → 19.5%
+3.0 pts
Median age
40.6 → 42.6
+2.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $51,026 to $57,771 across the same window, up 13.2% versus 2021. The renter share has risen from 30.7% to 38.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 16.5% to 19.5% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Newton

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

Can you afford rent in Newton on your salary?

At $992/mo, how Newton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Newton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Newton

About renting in Newton, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Newton is $992/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $710/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $710/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($57,771/yr), Newton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Newton an affordable city for renters?

Newton is considered very affordable for renters. At $992/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($57,771/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Newton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Newton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $992/mo in Newton. The local median household income is $57,771/yr, meaning the typical Newton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Newton?

Rent in Newton has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Newton rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Newton is one of the more affordable cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #25 out of 33 tracked cities at $992/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Newton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Newton ($992/mo): Knoxville ($950/mo), Marshalltown ($978/mo).

What percentage of Newton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.5% of Newton households are renters, while 61.5% are owner-occupied. Newton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Newton rent compare to the national average?

Newton's median rent of $992/mo is $970 (49%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #25 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $992/mo, rent takes ~21% of Newton's median household income ($57,771/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Newton 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Newton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Newton, IA

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