1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waterloo, IA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Waterloo, Iowa as of August 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $948 and +47% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Waterloo
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waterloo
Compare Waterloo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 2 | Newton | $710 |
| 3 | Clinton | $720 |
| 4 | Marion | $720 |
| 5 | Boone | $730 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $730 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $740 |
| 8 | Waterloo (this page) | $740 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $750 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $808 |
| 11 | Davenport | $822 |
| 12 | Burlington | $830 |
| 13 | Adel | $840 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $850 |
| 15 | Sioux City | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Iowa
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,210 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,180 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,160 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,110 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,110 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,080 |
| 7 | North Liberty | $1,070 |
| 8 | Pleasant Hill | $1,060 |
| 9 | Norwalk | $1,050 |
| 10 | Ames | $1,015 |
| 11 | Grimes | $990 |
| 12 | Bettendorf | $980 |
| 13 | Des Moines | $970 |
| 14 | Iowa City | $967 |
| 15 | Council Bluffs | $920 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Waterloo.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Waterloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls, IA | 12.5 mi | $850 | +$110 (+15%) |
| Marshalltown, IA | 50.1 mi | $730 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 56.4 mi | $808 | +$68 (+9%) |
| Marion, IA | 59.2 mi | $720 | $-20 (-3%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 67.7 mi | $1,070 | +$330 (+45%) |
| Newton, IA | 72.5 mi | $710 | $-30 (-4%) |
| Coralville, IA | 72.9 mi | $890 | +$150 (+20%) |
| Iowa City, IA | 78.5 mi | $967 | +$227 (+31%) |
| Pella, IA | 83.2 mi | $870 | +$130 (+18%) |
| Austin, MN | 95.4 mi | $800 | +$60 (+8%) |
| Ames, IA | 96.5 mi | $1,015 | +$275 (+37%) |
| Altoona, IA | 97.7 mi | $1,080 | +$340 (+46%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Waterloo — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Waterloo?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Waterloo, Iowa is $740 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $948.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Waterloo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $29,600 ($2,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $14.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterloo expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waterloo's 1-bedroom median of $740 is +47% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 3th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waterloo rank for 1-bedroom rent in Iowa?
Among the 33 cities in Iowa with 1-bedroom data, Waterloo ranks #8 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Waterloo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Marshalltown ($730), Marion ($720), Newton ($710).