ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50009

Part of Altoona, IA

Pop. 22,886·Polk County·8th most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,588/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.2%

Month-over-Month

+1.7%

vs US Median

-$344

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 50009 · $1,588

More affordable than 66% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,140

1 BR

$1,190

2 BR

$1,410

3 BR

$1,920

4 BR+

$1,970

Research median

$1,410/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 50009 changed +1.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($88,447) is $2,211 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,970).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 50327, 4 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,349/mo), about $2,900 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 50009. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,056/yr

At $1,588/mo median

Location

CityAltoona

StateIA

CountyPolk County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.2% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50009 (Altoona, IA) is majority owner-occupied, 34.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,886

Median income

$88,447

Median age

Renters

29.5%

Age distribution

24.9%

22.1%

24%

18%

Under 1824.9%

18–3422.1%

35–5424%

55–6411.1%

65+18%

Gender

46.8%

53.2%

Male46.8%

Female53.2%

Race & ethnicity

85.2%

White85.2%

Black4.9%

Hispanic6.1%

Asian2.2%

Other1.6%

Education (25+)

31.5%

30.5%

34.4%

No HS diploma3.6%

HS diploma31.5%

Some college30.5%

Bachelor's+34.4%

Housing tenure

70.5%

29.5%

Owner70.5%

Renter29.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 50009 in Altoona, IA has changed in 5 years

Income

$84,204 → $88,447

up 5.0%

Population

20,580 → 22,886

up 11.2%

Renter share

29.7% → 29.5%

-0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

30.6% → 34.4%

+3.8 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 50009 in Altoona, IA now reports about $88,447, up from $84,204 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 50009 in Altoona, IA adding about 2,306 residents over the five-year window, up 11.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 30.6% to 34.4% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 50009

About renting in ZIP 50009

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 50009 covers Altoona, IA. The median rent here is $1,588/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,190/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,410/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($88,447/yr), ZIP 50009 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50009?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (about $31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,588/mo in ZIP 50009. The local median household income is $88,447/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50009?

Rent in ZIP 50009 has risen 1.2% over the past year.

How does ZIP 50009 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50009 is one of the pricier among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #8 of 54 at $1,588/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 50009 changed +1.2%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.