Iowa City, IA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Iowa City is $1,527, a 3.68% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,473.
Studio Apartments at $1,132 offer the most budget-friendly option with 390 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 595 square feet for $1,071, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,426 offer 871 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,232 sq ft) for $2,052, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Iowa City, IA
Last updated: November 18, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,527 | 875 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,132 | 390 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,071 | 595 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,426 | 871 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,052 | 1,232 sq. ft. |
Iowa City, IA rent trends
Rental prices in Iowa City, IA have increased by 3.68% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,473 to $1,527.
What's the typical rent budget in Iowa City, IA?
The largest share of rentals in Iowa City, IA (31%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Iowa City, IA?
16,527 or 54% of the households in Iowa City, IA are renter-occupied while 14,253 or 46% are owner-occupied.
How Iowa City Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Iowa City | $1,527 |
| Des Moines | $1,090 |
| West Des Moines | $1,237 |
| Waukee | $1,361 |
| Davenport | $1,007 |
| Ankeny | $1,366 |
| Council Bluffs | $1,251 |
| Ames | $1,333 |
| Clinton | $1,372 |
| Bettendorf | $1,311 |
| Coralville, IA | $1,305 |
| Muscatine, IA | $877 |
| North Liberty, IA | $1,688 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Iowa City apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.