ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50014

Part of Ames, IA

Pop. 32,958·Story County·29th most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,240/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.7%

vs US Median

-$692

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 50014 · $1,240

More affordable than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,100

1 BR

$1,160

2 BR

$1,310

3 BR

$1,820

4 BR+

$2,190

Research median

$1,310/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 50014 is 2.6% below its high of $1,273 in March 2026, at $1,240 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 50014 changed -1.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($60,731) is $1,518 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,310); a 3-bedroom is $1,820.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 50036, 9 miles away, rents for 34% less ($814/mo), about $5,100 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 50014. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$14,880/yr

At $1,240/mo median

Location

CityAmes

StateIA

CountyStory County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.5% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50014 (Ames, IA) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 68.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,958

Median income

$60,731

Median age

23.3

Renters

63.4%

Age distribution

13.1%

55.2%

15.4%

Under 1813.1%

18–3455.2%

35–5415.4%

55–646%

65+10.3%

Gender

54.7%

45.3%

Male54.7%

Female45.3%

Race & ethnicity

75.2%

White75.2%

Black4.1%

Hispanic4.5%

Asian11.3%

Other4.9%

Education (25+)

19.8%

68.1%

No HS diploma2.4%

HS diploma9.8%

Some college19.8%

Bachelor's+68.1%

Housing tenure

36.6%

63.4%

Owner36.6%

Renter63.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 50014 in Ames, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,121 → $1,240

up 10.6%

Income

$51,484 → $60,731

up 18.0%

Population

30,801 → 32,958

up 7.0%

Renter share

62.9% → 63.4%

+0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

66.8% → 68.1%

+1.3 pts

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 50014 in Ames, IA has increased from $1,121 to $1,240, a 10.6% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 50014 in Ames, IA now reports about $60,731, up from $51,484 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 7.0% since 2021, moving from about 30,801 residents to roughly 32,958. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 50014 in Ames, IA reflects that arc in its own way.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 50014

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 50014 covers Ames, IA. The median rent here is $1,240/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,160/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,310/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($60,731/yr), ZIP 50014 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50014?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (about $24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,240/mo in ZIP 50014. The local median household income is $60,731/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50014?

Rent in ZIP 50014 has fallen 1.5% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 2.6% below its high of $1,273 in March 2026.

How does ZIP 50014 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50014 is in the middle among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #29 of 54 at $1,240/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 50014 changed -1.5%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.