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City Report · IA

Pleasant Hill

Pop. 11,136·11th most expensive in Iowa·Pleasant Hill rents are up 12.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,346/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.5%
Month-over-Month
+7.3%
vs US Median
-$619
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pleasant Hill · $1,346
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,346/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$90,508/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pleasant Hill's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,000
1 BR
$1,060
2 BR
$1,270
3 BR
$1,700
4 BR+
$1,710
Research median
$1,270/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
$16,152/yr
At $1,346/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.5% YoY, +7.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pleasant Hill, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 35.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,136
Median income
$90,508
Median age
39.5
Renters
21.6%
Age distribution
25.4%
19.5%
23.1%
12.1%
20%
Under 1825.4%
18–3419.5%
35–5423.1%
55–6412.1%
65+20%
Gender
45.3%
54.7%
Male45.3%
Female54.7%
Race & ethnicity
86.1%
White86.1%
Black4.6%
Hispanic6.7%
Asian1.9%
Other0.7%
Education (25+)
28.1%
35.2%
35.5%
No HS diploma1.1%
HS diploma28.1%
Some college35.2%
Bachelor's+35.5%
Housing tenure
78.4%
21.6%
Owner78.4%
Renter21.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pleasant Hill, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$76,371 → $90,508
up 18.5%
Population
10,203 → 11,136
up 9.1%
Renter share
24.5% → 21.6%
-2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
31.1% → 35.5%
+4.4 pts
Median age
39 → 39.5
+0.5 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $76,371 in 2021 to $90,508 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,203 to 11,136 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.1% change. About 21.6% of households rent today, against 24.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.1% to 35.5%.

Community

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View Pleasant Hill rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pleasant Hill on your salary?

At $1,346/mo, how Pleasant Hill rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pleasant Hill rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pleasant Hill

About renting in Pleasant Hill, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pleasant Hill is $1,346/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,700/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($90,508/yr), Pleasant Hill ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pleasant Hill an affordable city for renters?

Pleasant Hill is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,346/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($90,508/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pleasant Hill falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pleasant Hill?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,346/mo in Pleasant Hill. The local median household income is $90,508/yr, meaning the typical Pleasant Hill household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pleasant Hill?

Rent in Pleasant Hill has increased 12.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Pleasant Hill rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Pleasant Hill is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #11 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,346/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pleasant Hill?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pleasant Hill ($1,346/mo): Des Moines ($1,121/mo), Norwalk ($1,189/mo).

What percentage of Pleasant Hill residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.6% of Pleasant Hill households are renters, while 78.4% are owner-occupied. Pleasant Hill leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pleasant Hill rent compare to the national average?

Pleasant Hill's median rent of $1,346/mo is $619 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #11 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,346/mo, rent takes ~18% of Pleasant Hill's median household income ($90,508/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pleasant Hill 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Pleasant Hill affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pleasant Hill, IA

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