Census ACS · 42 cities
Cities in Iowa With Highest Rent
Rent prices directly impact affordability for the many residents who don't own their homes. In Iowa, Waukee city has the highest median rent at $1,290. Rent varies based on local housing supply, demand, proximity to employment centers, and overall cost of living. For renters evaluating where to live in Iowa, this ranking shows how monthly housing costs compare across the state's 42 major cities.
Source: Census ACS 5-Year Estimates
| # | City | Median Rent | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines city | $1,194 | $286,300 | $84,925 |
| 2 | Waverly city | $909.00 | $215,200 | $78,429 |
| 3 | Waukee city | $1,290 | $328,200 | $106,728 |
| 4 | Waterloo city | $896.00 | $150,200 | $56,344 |
| 5 | Urbandale city | $1,176 | $318,800 | $113,086 |
| 6 | Storm Lake city | $830.00 | $163,600 | $58,341 |
| 7 | Spencer city | $795.00 | $178,300 | $57,068 |
| 8 | Sioux City city | $936.00 | $162,600 | $65,473 |
| 9 | Pleasant Hill city | $1,204 | $284,100 | $86,890 |
| 10 | Pella city | $1,041 | $259,600 | $81,201 |
| 11 | Ottumwa city | $956.00 | $92,400 | $56,994 |
| 12 | Oskaloosa city | $880.00 | $128,900 | $62,172 |
| 13 | Norwalk city | $869.00 | $275,700 | $94,583 |
| 14 | North Liberty city | $1,226 | $300,000 | $103,933 |
| 15 | Newton city | $828.00 | $151,600 | $56,321 |
| 16 | Muscatine city | $979.00 | $146,900 | $59,332 |
| 17 | Mason City city | $874.00 | $130,000 | $62,369 |
| 18 | Marshalltown city | $864.00 | $117,100 | $68,854 |
| 19 | Marion city | $978.00 | $230,800 | $87,105 |
| 20 | Le Mars city | $908.00 | $202,200 | $72,381 |
| 21 | Johnston city | $1,288 | $346,200 | $103,430 |
| 22 | Iowa City city | $1,094 | $273,600 | $57,533 |
| 23 | Indianola city | $966.00 | $228,100 | $78,125 |
| 24 | Grimes city | $1,156 | $281,000 | $104,497 |
| 25 | Fort Madison city | $824.00 | $95,900 | $49,359 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge city | $764.00 | $128,900 | $61,769 |
| 27 | Dubuque city | $943.00 | $193,100 | $64,985 |
| 28 | Des Moines city | $1,054 | $183,700 | $63,966 |
| 29 | Davenport city | $930.00 | $162,900 | $64,497 |
| 30 | Council Bluffs city | $980.00 | $164,300 | $64,092 |
| 31 | Coralville city | $1,021 | $286,000 | $66,508 |
| 32 | Clive city | $1,099 | $379,000 | $131,082 |
| 33 | Clinton city | $751.00 | $115,400 | $57,493 |
| 34 | Cedar Rapids city | $925.00 | $177,100 | $67,859 |
| 35 | Cedar Falls city | $1,177 | $252,500 | $74,165 |
| 36 | Carroll city | $718.00 | $184,100 | $59,323 |
| 37 | Burlington city | $931.00 | $115,800 | $55,274 |
| 38 | Boone city | $791.00 | $156,400 | $67,269 |
| 39 | Bettendorf city | $1,148 | $295,600 | $102,917 |
| 40 | Ankeny city | $1,279 | $311,300 | $106,603 |
| 41 | Ames city | $1,040 | $263,800 | $60,102 |
| 42 | Altoona city | $1,203 | $257,300 | $87,123 |
More Rankings for Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
Waukee city is the #1 ranked city in Iowa by median rent, with a value of $1,290 according to latest Census ACS data.
Iowa has 42 cities with 10,000+ population tracked in latest Census ACS data.
All data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates by the US Census Bureau.
Data from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Covers cities with populations of 10,000 or more in Iowa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.