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City Report · IA

Waukee

Pop. 29,236·2nd most expensive in Iowa·Waukee rents are up 10.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,665/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.5%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
-$300
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waukee · $1,665
More affordable than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,665/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$67,000/yr
Local median income
$101,029/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Waukee's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,090
1 BR
$1,160
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,870
4 BR+
$1,870
Research median
$1,390/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
$19,980/yr
At $1,665/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.5% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Waukee, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 58% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,236
Median income
$101,029
Median age
34.7
Renters
33.5%
Age distribution
27.2%
23.3%
29.7%
Under 1827.2%
18–3423.3%
35–5429.7%
55–648.7%
65+11.1%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
79.7%
White79.7%
Black5.1%
Hispanic5.9%
Asian6.5%
Other2.8%
Education (25+)
25.9%
58%
No HS diploma4.6%
HS diploma11.5%
Some college25.9%
Bachelor's+58%
Housing tenure
66.5%
33.5%
Owner66.5%
Renter33.5%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Waukee, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,511 → $1,665
up 10.2%
Income
$101,138 → $101,029
down 0.1%
Population
23,441 → 29,236
up 24.7%
Renter share
28.3% → 33.5%
+5.2 pts
Bachelor's+
56.3% → 58%
+1.7 pts
Median age
34.1 → 34.7
+0.6 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in Waukee, IA has climbed from $1,511 to $1,665, a 10.2% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $101,138 in 2021 to $101,029 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 24.7% since 2021, moving from about 23,441 residents to roughly 29,236. Renters now make up 33.5% of households, compared with 28.3% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Waukee, IA market of 2022.

Community

Discussions about Waukee

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

Can you afford rent in Waukee on your salary?

At $1,665/mo, how Waukee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Waukee rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Waukee

About renting in Waukee, IA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Waukee is $1,665/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,090/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,160/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,870/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($101,029/yr), Waukee ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Waukee an affordable city for renters?

Waukee is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,665/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($101,029/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Waukee falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Waukee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,665/mo in Waukee. The local median household income is $101,029/yr, meaning the typical Waukee household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Waukee?

Rent in Waukee has increased 10.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Waukee rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Waukee is one of the pricier cities in Iowa for rent, ranking #2 out of 32 tracked cities at $1,665/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waukee?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Waukee ($1,665/mo): Adel ($1,031/mo), Urbandale ($1,197/mo), West Des Moines ($1,369/mo).

What percentage of Waukee residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.5% of Waukee households are renters, while 66.5% are owner-occupied. Waukee leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Waukee rent compare to the national average?

Waukee's median rent of $1,665/mo is $300 (15%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #2 out of 32 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,665/mo, rent takes ~20% of Waukee's median household income ($101,029/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waukee 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Waukee affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Waukee
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waukee, IA

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