The Meadows
1600 10th St SE,
Mason City, IA 50401
1-3 Beds | $1,025 - $1,350
Rental Market Trends in Mason City, IA
Updated July 2026
The average rent in Mason City, IA is $720/month.
Rent in Mason City is 57% lower than the national average rent of $1,662/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$720/month
Average Rent
644 Sq Ft
Average Size
+2.8%
Change / Year
79
Available Apartments
Mason City rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Mason City average $717 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Mason City average $720 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Mason City average $1,051 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Mason City average $1,347 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Mason City, IA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 2.8%, which averages out to $21 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
July 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Mason City, IA
July 2026
Below $701
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
50%
Below $700/month
21%
$700 - $1,000/month
29%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
0%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
0%
Above $2,000/month
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Mason City, IA?
Because the average rent in Mason City is $720, you’ll want to make about $2,400 per month or $28,800 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 Mason City, IA is 8.5% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Mason City is 24.5% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $717 - $1,347. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 4.0% less for utilities, and 0.4% less for transportation.
How does Mason City, IA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Mason 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.
Apartment Communities in Mason City We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Mason City?
The average rent in Mason City is $720 per month, which is 56.7% lower than the national average of $1,662.
Are rents going up or down in Mason City?
Rents in Mason City, IA are increasing, with prices up 2.8% year-over-year and $21 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Mason City?
In Mason City, IA, 50% of apartments fall below $700/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 June 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.