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Rental Market Trends in Iowa City, IA

Updated September 2026

The average rent in Iowa City, IA is $1,047/month.

Rent in Iowa City is 37% lower than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.

$1,047/month

Average Rent

631 Sq Ft

Average Size

+1%

Change / Year

396

Available Apartments

Iowa City rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Iowa City average $1,143 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Iowa City average $1,047 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Iowa City average $1,305 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Iowa City average $1,712 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,143/month
545 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,047/month
631 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,305/month
874 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,712/month
1,140 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,169/month
604 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,535/month
870 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,900/month
1,059 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$2,899/month
1,867 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,493/month
808 Sq Ft
View Iowa City Apartments

How much has average rent changed in Iowa City, IA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 1%, which averages out to $11 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

September 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Iowa City, IA

September 2026
$1,001 - $1,500
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Iowa City, IA
Percentage*
Rent Range
6% Below $700/month
20% $700 - $1,000/month
48% $1,001 - $1,500/month
18% $1,501 - $2,000/month
8% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Iowa City?

Based on current rent prices, South Iowa City, Downtown Iowa City and Roosevelt are the most affordable neighborhoods in Iowa City.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
South Iowa City
$1,251/month
724 Sq Ft
Downtown Iowa City
$1,712/month
754 Sq Ft
Roosevelt
$1,752/month
659 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Iowa City?

Based on current rent prices, Roosevelt, Downtown Iowa City and South Iowa City are the most expensive neighborhoods in Iowa City.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Roosevelt
$1,752/month
659 Sq Ft
Downtown Iowa City
$1,712/month
754 Sq Ft
South Iowa City
$1,251/month
724 Sq Ft

Which Iowa City neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Iowa City with the most apartments available are Downtown Iowa City, South Iowa City and Roosevelt .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Iowa City
$1,712/month
754 Sq Ft
South Iowa City
$1,251/month
724 Sq Ft
Roosevelt
$1,752/month
659 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Iowa City, IA?

Because the average rent in Iowa City is $1,047, you’ll want to make about $3,490 per month or $41,880 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Iowa City, IA is 7.4% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Iowa City is 21.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,047 - $1,712. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 14.3% less for utilities, and 4.4% more for transportation.

City

Iowa City, IA

396 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Iowa City, IA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Iowa City, IA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

View the Iowa City Area Guide

Apartment Averages

South Iowa City

Iowa City, IA

Roosevelt

Iowa City, IA

Studio
-
$1,186/month
One Bedroom
$1,009/month
$916/month
Two Bedroom
$1,135/month
$1,247/month
Three Bedroom
$1,339/month
$1,653/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Coralville

    Coralville

    Avg Rent: $1,264/month

  • Tiffin

    Tiffin

    Avg Rent: $1,390/month

  • North Liberty

    North Liberty

    Avg Rent: $1,539/month

  • West Branch

    West Branch

    Avg Rent: $1,105/month

Apartment Communities in Iowa City We Think You'll Love

Hawks Ridge

Hawks Ridge

100 Hawk Ridge Dr,
Iowa City, IA 52246

1-4 Beds | $589 - $1,400

319 Sycamore Drive

319 Sycamore Drive

327-327 Sycamore Dr,
West Branch, IA 52358

1-2 Beds | $1,050 - $1,350

The Quarters Iowa City

The Quarters Iowa City

2401 Highway 6 E,
Iowa City, IA 52240

1-3 Beds | $695 - $1,390

The Horizons 202 Sycamore Dr.

The Horizons 202 Sycamore Dr.

202-204 Sycamore Dr,
West Branch, IA 52358

2 Beds | $1,320

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Iowa City?

The average rent in Iowa City is $1,047 per month, which is 37.1% lower than the national average of $1,665.

What is the average rent for a house in Iowa City?

The average rent for a house in Iowa City, IA is $1,900 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Iowa City?

Rents in Iowa City, IA are increasing, with prices up 1.0% year-over-year and $11 more per month.

What rent range is most common in Iowa City?

In Iowa City, IA, 48% of apartments fall between $1,001 - $1,500/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States Iowa Iowa City Rental Trends

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 September 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity