Last updated
Average Rent in Iowa City, IA & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 3 apartment communities in Iowa City, IA. Updated daily.
Market Average
$1,738/mo
▲ +5.2% from last month
Lowest Available
$1,205/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
3
tracked daily
Units Listed
9
available now
Rent by Neighborhood in Iowa City, IA
Compare average rent across Iowa City, IA neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt | $1,363 | $750 | 2 | 57 |
| Iowa City 52246 | $1,074 | $650 | 1 | 11 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Iowa City, IA?
As of May 2026, the average rent in Iowa City, IA is $1,738 per month across 3 apartment communities and 9 available units. Rents have increased $68 (5.2%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is The Nest Iowa City starting at $1,205/mo. By unit type, a 3-bedroom averages $1,738/mo.
Prices range from $1,205 to $2,500 per month. The most common price point is the $1,200 range, where 2 units are currently listed.
Iowa City, IA Rent Price History
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Iowa City, IA
Rent Prices by Apartment in Iowa City, IA
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Nest Iowa City | $1,205/mo | $1,205/mo | 1 | 4.8 |
| Westwinds Real Estate | $1,250/mo | $1,858/mo | 6 | 3.4 |
| PACE Property Management | $1,495/mo | $1,645/mo | 2 | 3.2 |
Google Search Trends for Iowa City, IA Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Iowa City, IA
What is the average rent in Iowa City, IA?
Is rent going up or down in Iowa City, IA?
What is the cheapest apartment in Iowa City, IA?
How many apartments are available in Iowa City, IA?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Iowa City, IA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$70,000/year
30 percent rule -- using our average rent of $1,738/mo.
Comfortable income
$83,000/year
25 percent rule -- leaves more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,205/mo), you need to earn at least $48,000/year.
Median household income in Iowa City, IA is $57,533 , about 31% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Iowa City, IA
Overall prices in Iowa City, IA runs below the national average by about 8% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 91.9, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Iowa City, IA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $1,738 |
| Utilities | $351 |
| Groceries | $522 |
| Transportation | $836 |
| Healthcare | $408 |
| Other goods and services | $652 |
| Estimated total | $4,507/mo |
Population
75,264
Median household income
$57,533
Census median rent
$1,094/mo
Rent as % of income
37.6%
Median age
26.3
Mean commute
18 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Explore Iowa City, IA Apartments
Browse all 3 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.