Spencer

Downtown Spencer includes many Art-Deco style buildings that were built after a huge fire in the 1930s.
Downtown Spencer includes many Art-Deco style buildings that were built after a huge fire in the 1930s.
Paved trails follow the Little Sioux River through the heart of Spencer.
Every September, Spencer is home to the Clay County Fair, the largest county fair in Iowa.

Spencer, IA Area Guide

Delight in the seat of Clay County’s small-town charm

Suburban Family-Friendly Affordable Scenic Historic Close-Knit Riverside

Located in the northwestern corner of Iowa, Spencer is a community-oriented small town that sits where the Little Sioux River meets the Ocheyedan River. Spencer’s waterways and robust park system provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and kayaking.

At Spencer’s core is the vibrant, historic downtown, featuring the largest and most diverse collection of 1930s Art Deco architecture in the Midwest in addition to numerous museums, theatrical productions, restaurants, and shops to enjoy. Spencer is also home to the “World’s Greatest County Fair,” drawing more than 300,000 attendees every year. Convenience to U.S. Routes 18 and 71 makes getting around from Spencer simple.

Explore the City

Downtown Spencer includes many Art-Deco style buildings that were built after a huge fire in the 1930s.

Paved trails follow the Little Sioux River through the heart of Spencer.

Every September, Spencer is home to the Clay County Fair, the largest county fair in Iowa.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Spencer, IA is $845 for a studio, $734 for one bedroom, $855 for two bedrooms, and $1,403 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Spencer has increased by 7.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$734/month
597 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Spencer, IA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Spencer, IA is 13.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Spencer is 35.0% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $734 - $1,403. You can expect to pay 2.4% more for groceries, 7.0% less for utilities, and 25.2% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Spencer, IA is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

44 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Somewhat Bikeable

47 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Lincoln Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

Fairview Park Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Johnson Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Spencer Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Spencer High School

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Shopping Centers

Top Apartments in Spencer

Search Nearby Rentals

Nearby City Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.