ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 52245

Part of Iowa City, IA

Pop. 22,853·Johnson County·2nd most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,939/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

+$7

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 52245 · $1,939

More expensive than 58% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,000

1 BR

$1,090

2 BR

$1,290

3 BR

$1,790

4 BR+

$2,160

Research median

$1,290/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 52245 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 52245 changed +6.9% 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 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($78,020) is $1,951 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,790); a 4-bedroom is $2,160.

Rank in Iowa City

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Iowa City.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 52240, 3 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,625/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 52245. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,268/yr

At $1,939/mo median

Location

CityIowa City

StateIA

CountyJohnson County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.9% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 52245 (Iowa City, IA) is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 67.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,853

Median income

$78,020

Median age

31.8

Renters

40.4%

Age distribution

12.7%

40.3%

19%

19.3%

Under 1812.7%

18–3440.3%

35–5419%

55–648.7%

65+19.3%

Gender

51.2%

48.8%

Male51.2%

Female48.8%

Race & ethnicity

83.4%

White83.4%

Black4.1%

Hispanic5.4%

Asian4.9%

Other2.1%

Education (25+)

21.3%

67.2%

No HS diploma1.3%

HS diploma10.3%

Some college21.3%

Bachelor's+67.2%

Housing tenure

59.6%

40.4%

Owner59.6%

Renter40.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 52245 in Iowa City, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,633 → $1,939

up 18.7%

Income

$69,381 → $78,020

up 12.5%

Population

22,179 → 22,853

up 3.0%

Renter share

37.6% → 40.4%

+2.8 pts

Bachelor's+

68.6% → 67.2%

-1.4 pts

Rent in ZIP 52245 in Iowa City, IA has increased 18.7% since 2023, going from about $1,633 per month to roughly $1,939 today. Census figures show median household income at $78,020 today, compared with $69,381 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 6.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 22,179 to 22,853 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. About 40.4% of households rent today, against 37.6% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

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About renting in ZIP 52245

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 52245 covers Iowa City, IA. The median rent here is $1,939/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,090/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,290/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($78,020/yr), ZIP 52245 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 52245?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,939/mo in ZIP 52245. The local median household income is $78,020/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 52245?

Rent in ZIP 52245 has risen 6.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in September 2022.

How does ZIP 52245 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 52245 is one of the pricier among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #2 of 54 at $1,939/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 52245 changed +6.9%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.