Studio Apartment Rent in Waterloo, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Waterloo, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $898 and +49% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waterloo
Compare Waterloo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo (this page) | $663 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 5 | Davenport | $698 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 8 | Newton | $710 |
| 9 | Boone | $720 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 12 | Burlington | $750 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
| 15 | Coralville | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $853 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Waterloo.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Waterloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls, IA | 12.5 mi | $770 | +$107 (+16%) |
| Marshalltown, IA | 50.1 mi | $700 | +$37 (+6%) |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 56.4 mi | $720 | +$57 (+9%) |
| Marion, IA | 59.2 mi | $640 | $-23 (-3%) |
| North Liberty, IA | 67.7 mi | $950 | +$287 (+43%) |
| Tiffin, IA | 68.9 mi | $870 | +$207 (+31%) |
| Newton, IA | 72.5 mi | $710 | +$47 (+7%) |
| Coralville, IA | 72.9 mi | $790 | +$127 (+19%) |
| Iowa City, IA | 78.5 mi | $853 | +$190 (+29%) |
| Pella, IA | 83.2 mi | $760 | +$97 (+15%) |
| Austin, MN | 95.4 mi | $720 | +$57 (+9%) |
| Ames, IA | 96.5 mi | $935 | +$272 (+41%) |
Studio rent in Waterloo — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Waterloo?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Waterloo, Iowa is $663 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $898.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Waterloo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $26,520 ($2,210/month gross), which works out to roughly $12.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterloo expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Waterloo's studio median of $663 is +49% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 2th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waterloo rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, Waterloo ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Waterloo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Marion ($640).