ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 52302

Part of Marion, IA

Pop. 42,706·Linn County·24th most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,273/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.9%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

-$659

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 52302 · $1,273

More affordable than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$720

1 BR

$790

2 BR

$1,040

3 BR

$1,450

4 BR+

$1,740

Research median

$1,040/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

Cheapest month to sign

February. Asking rents in ZIP 52302 usually run 0.9% below trend in February and 0.9% above it in August, about $23 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 52302 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 52302 changed +11.9% 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 10 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($87,983) is $2,200 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,740).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 52403, 7 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,108/mo), about $2,000 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 52302. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,276/yr

At $1,273/mo median

Location

CityMarion

StateIA

CountyLinn County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.9% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 52302 (Marion, IA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

42,706

Median income

$87,983

Median age

40.9

Renters

22.6%

Age distribution

25.1%

16.6%

28.1%

18.5%

Under 1825.1%

18–3416.6%

35–5428.1%

55–6411.7%

65+18.5%

Gender

46.7%

53.3%

Male46.7%

Female53.3%

Race & ethnicity

87.9%

White87.9%

Black2.5%

Hispanic2.7%

Asian2.1%

Other4.8%

Education (25+)

22.2%

36%

38.2%

No HS diploma3.6%

HS diploma22.2%

Some college36%

Bachelor's+38.2%

Housing tenure

77.4%

22.6%

Owner77.4%

Renter22.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 52302 in Marion, IA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$915 → $1,273

up 39.1%

Income

$76,325 → $87,983

up 15.3%

Population

42,386 → 42,706

up 0.8%

Renter share

22.5% → 22.6%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

36.7% → 38.2%

+1.5 pts

Median age

39.8 → 40.9

+1.1 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 52302 in Marion, IA has increased from $915 to $1,273, a 39.1% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $87,983 today, compared with $76,325 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 52302

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 52302 covers Marion, IA. The median rent here is $1,273/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $790/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,040/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($87,983/yr), ZIP 52302 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 52302?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,273/mo in ZIP 52302. The local median household income is $87,983/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 52302?

Rent in ZIP 52302 has risen 11.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2021.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 52302?

Asking rents in ZIP 52302 are usually lowest in February, about 0.9% below their yearly trend, and highest in August, about 0.9% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $23 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 52302 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 52302 is in the middle among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #24 of 54 at $1,273/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 52302 changed +11.9%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.