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City Report · IA

Pella

Pop. 10,720·21st most expensive in Iowa·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,135/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.6%
Month-over-Month
+4.6%
vs US Median
-$827
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pella · $1,135
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,135/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$84,111/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pella's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$760
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,110
3 BR
$1,330
4 BR+
$1,470
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,110/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,135 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
$13,620/yr
At $1,135/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 2.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.6% YoY, +4.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pella, IA is majority owner-occupied, 47.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,720
Median income
$84,111
Median age
35.2
Renters
37.5%
Age distribution
21.5%
28.2%
22.6%
18.8%
Under 1821.5%
18–3428.2%
35–5422.6%
55–648.9%
65+18.8%
Gender
52.1%
47.9%
Male52.1%
Female47.9%
Race & ethnicity
95.1%
White95.1%
Hispanic3.2%
Asian1.3%
Education (25+)
26.2%
23.3%
47.3%
No HS diploma3.2%
HS diploma26.2%
Some college23.3%
Bachelor's+47.3%
Housing tenure
62.5%
37.5%
Owner62.5%
Renter37.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pella, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$80,270 → $84,111
up 4.8%
Population
10,414 → 10,720
up 2.9%
Renter share
32.8% → 37.5%
+4.7 pts
Bachelor's+
45% → 47.3%
+2.3 pts
Median age
36.5 → 35.2
-1.3 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $80,270 in 2021 to $84,111 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,414 to 10,720 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. About 37.5% of households rent today, against 32.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45% to 47.3%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Pella on your salary?

At $1,135/mo, how Pella rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pella rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pella

About renting in Pella, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Pella is $1,135/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,110/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,330/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($84,111/yr), Pella ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pella an affordable city for renters?

Pella is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,135/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($84,111/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pella falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pella?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,135/mo in Pella. The local median household income is $84,111/yr, meaning the typical Pella household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pella?

Rent in Pella has increased 2.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pella rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Pella is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #21 out of 33 tracked cities at $1,135/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pella?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pella ($1,135/mo): Knoxville ($950/mo), Marshalltown ($978/mo), Newton ($992/mo).

What percentage of Pella residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.5% of Pella households are renters, while 62.5% are owner-occupied. Pella leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pella rent compare to the national average?

Pella's median rent of $1,135/mo is $827 (42%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #21 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,135/mo, rent takes ~16% of Pella's median household income ($84,111/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pella 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Pella affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pella, IA

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