How much does it cost to rent in North Liberty, IA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in North Liberty, IA is $1,655. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is North Liberty cheaper than other Iowa cities?

North Liberty is one of the pricier cities in Iowa, ranking #3 out of 32 cities tracked at $1,655/mo.

When was North Liberty rent data last updated?

North Liberty rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IA

North Liberty

Name: Average Rent Prices in North Liberty, IA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,125·3rd most expensive in Iowa·North Liberty rents are up 21.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,655/mo

Year-over-Year

+21.1%

Month-over-Month

+2.5%

vs US Median

-$310

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

North Liberty · $1,655

More affordable than 65% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

30/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% above what North Liberty's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,655/mo

Expected by trend

$1,503/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where North Liberty's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$950

1 BR

$1,070

2 BR

$1,280

3 BR

$1,790

4 BR+

$2,150

Research median

$1,280/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,860/yr

At $1,655/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 21.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+21.1% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

North Liberty, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 54.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,125

Median income

$102,102

Median age

31.7

Renters

33.1%

Age distribution

27.3%

30%

Under 1827.3%

18–3427.3%

35–5430%

55–648.2%

65+7.2%

Gender

51.1%

48.9%

Male51.1%

Female48.9%

Race & ethnicity

80.2%

White80.2%

Black4.1%

Hispanic6.5%

Asian4.2%

Other5%

Education (25+)

12.1%

32.2%

54.5%

No HS diploma1.2%

HS diploma12.1%

Some college32.2%

Bachelor's+54.5%

Housing tenure

66.9%

33.1%

Owner66.9%

Renter33.1%

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

2022 vs 2026

How North Liberty, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,266 → $1,655

up 30.7%

Income

$96,351 → $102,102

up 6.0%

Population

19,976 → 21,125

up 5.8%

Renter share

27.6% → 33.1%

+5.5 pts

Bachelor's+

53.4% → 54.5%

+1.1 pts

Compared with 2022, rent in North Liberty, IA has increased by $389 per month, settling near $1,655 after starting the period at $1,266. On the earnings side, the typical household in North Liberty, IA now reports about $102,102, up from $96,351 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 24.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 19,976 to 21,125 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.8% change. About 33.1% of households rent today, against 27.6% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and North Liberty, IA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about North Liberty

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View North Liberty rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in North Liberty on your salary?

At $1,655/mo, how North Liberty rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 15.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 12.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 34.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 38.1% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

By apartment size

North Liberty rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in North Liberty

About renting in North Liberty, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in North Liberty is $1,655/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,280/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,070/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,790/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($102,102/yr), North Liberty ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 21.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is North Liberty an affordable city for renters?

North Liberty is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,655/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($102,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. North Liberty falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in North Liberty?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,655/mo in North Liberty. The local median household income is $102,102/yr, meaning the typical North Liberty household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in North Liberty?

Rent in North Liberty has increased 21.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does North Liberty rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

North Liberty is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #3 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,655/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than North Liberty?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than North Liberty ($1,655/mo): Coralville ($1,263/mo), Marion ($1,278/mo), Cedar Rapids ($1,288/mo).

What percentage of North Liberty residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.1% of North Liberty households are renters, while 66.9% are owner-occupied. North Liberty leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does North Liberty rent compare to the national average?

North Liberty's median rent of $1,655/mo is $310 (16%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #3 out of 32 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

19%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,655/mo, rent takes ~19% of North Liberty's median household income ($102,102/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

North Liberty 19%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.8%

Run the North Liberty affordability calculator →

Nearby cities