How many renters in Iowa City, IA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Iowa City, IA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

61.9% (±4.1 points) of renting households in Iowa City, IA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

52.1% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 37.0% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 61.9% (±4.1 points)
Paying 35% or more: 52.1% (±3.6 points)
Median share of income: 37.0% (±3.5 points)

Rent as a share of income in Iowa City

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Iowa City	Johnson County	Iowa	United States
Less than 15%	10.1% (±1.9 points)	11.7%	17.1%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	10.7% (±2.1 points)	12.4%	14.6%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	9.0% (±2.1 points)	11.5%	12.8%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	8.3% (±2.2 points)	8.1%	11.6%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.8% (±2.0 points)	10.0%	8.7%	9.2%
35% or more	52.1% (±3.6 points)	46.3%	35.2%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Iowa City against Johnson County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Iowa City	Johnson County	Iowa	United States
Paying 30% or more	61.9% (±4.1 points)	56.3% (±3.4 points)	43.9% (±0.8 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	52.1% (±3.6 points)	46.3% (±2.9 points)	35.2% (±0.6 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	37.0% (±3.5 points)	33.1% (±1.4 points)	27.4% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$34,479 (±$2,878)	$39,683 (±$2,715)	$43,297 (±$758)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,094 (±$41)	$1,122 (±$24)	$972 (±$6)	$1,413

In Iowa City, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is higher than in Johnson County (56.3%).

It is also higher than in Iowa (43.9%).

It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).

In Johnson County, Iowa City ranks 1 of 11 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 128 of 895.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Iowa City

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Iowa City
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Iowa City	—	61.9% (±4.1 points)	—
University Heights	1.4 mi	60.0% (±16.0 points)	Not measurably different
Coralville	4.5 mi	55.1% (±8.1 points)	Not measurably different
Hills	6.8 mi	36.7% (±18.0 points)	Lower
Tiffin	7.2 mi	22.6% (±19.3 points)	Lower
North Liberty	7.4 mi	37.7% (±11.3 points)	Lower
West Branch	9.7 mi	43.4% (±24.8 points)	Not measurably different
Solon	11 mi	59.2% (±20.2 points)	Not measurably different
Riverside	12 mi	7.1% (±30.2 points)	Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Hills, IA (36.7%), Tiffin, IA (22.6%), North Liberty, IA (37.7%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Johnson County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Iowa City	61.9% (±4.1 points)
2	University Heights	60.0% (±16.0 points)
3	Swisher	59.7% (±30.9 points)
4	Oxford	59.3% (±42.7 points)
5	Solon	59.2% (±20.2 points)
6	Coralville	55.1% (±8.1 points)
7	Lone Tree	46.8% (±19.4 points)

Showing 7 of 11 places in Johnson County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Iowa City

Are renters in Iowa City rent-burdened?

61.9% of renting households in Iowa City pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Iowa City spend on rent?

The median renting household in Iowa City, IA spends 37.0% (±3.5 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Iowa City city, Iowa (place:38595, in state:19).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.