Cheap Apartments for Rent in Iowa City, IA from $600 (94 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Iowa City.

property at 411-463 Hwy 1 W

411-463 Hwy 1 W

Iowa CityIA52246

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property at 1059 W Benton St

1059 W Benton St

Iowa CityIA52246
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Apartments at Iowa
1 Bedroom Apartments

Apartments at Iowa

507 E College StIowa City, IA 52240
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Apartments at Iowa
Studio to 6 Bedroom Apartments

Apartments at Iowa

355 S Gilbert StIowa City, IA 52240
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Michael Street
Studio Apartments

Michael Street

732 Michael StIowa City, IA 52246
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Finkbine Lane
2 Bedroom Apartments

Finkbine Lane

302 Finkbine LnIowa City, IA 52246
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Woodlands
2 Bedroom Apartments

Woodlands

2010-2110 Broadway StIowa City, IA 52240
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Sycamore Coop
1 Bedroom Apartments

Sycamore Coop

2001 Kountry Ln SEIowa City, IA 52240
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Cross Park Avenue
2 Bedroom Apartments

Cross Park Avenue

801-845 Cross Park AveIowa City, IA 52240
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Violet Square
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Violet Square

501-511 S Gilbert StIowa City, IA 52240
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Whiteway 2000
Studio Apartments

Whiteway 2000

210 S Clinton StIowa City, IA 52240
Student Housing
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Iowa City, IA Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Iowa City, IA

Pricing Updated: 04/21/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Iowa City, IA area range in price from $670 to $3,300 with an overall median price of $1,567. The three Iowa City neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Court Hill at $670, Cottage Hill at $719, and Horn at $719. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Iowa City Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Court Hill$1,450$67046
Cottage Hill$1,497$71939
Horn$1,497$71919
Westgate$1,497$71919
County Center$1,525$67065
Downtown Iowa City$1,525$67063
Fair Meadows$1,525$670104
Hoover$1,525$67070
Lucas$1,525$670104
Oak Woods$1,525$67084

Cheapest Available Iowa City Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Iowa City, IA is a Studio unit found at Lakewood Hills Apartments in the Old Mill Creek neighborhood priced from $695. Aspire at West Campus in the Coralview Heights neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $812. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Iowa City apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Lakewood Hills ApartmentsStudio GoldStudio,1BA$695
Aspire at West Campus2x2 Herky - Unfurnished2BR,2BA$812
Park Place1 BR Sublet Top Floor1BR,1BA$860
Sycamore ApartmentsOne Bedroom Units1BR,1BA$895
Knollridge Garden Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$925
Regency Heights (55+ Community)One Bedroom1BR,1BA$935
Scotsdale2 Bdrm2BR,1BA$975
Claremont Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$985
River Ridge PlaceStudio/1BA 371 sq ftStudio,1BA$995
Riverfront CrossingsStudioStudio,1BA$995

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Iowa City, IA

As of April 21, 2025 the best value apartment in the Iowa City area is the $1.42 price per square foot The Willow, Lot 158 - 1658... Model at The Willow, Lot 158 in the in the Coralview Heights neighborhood starting from $2,150. The second greatest value Iowa City apartment is the B Model at The Hawthorne starting at $1,700 with a $1.42 price per square foot in the Lantern Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Iowa City apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Willow, Lot 158The Willow, Lot 158 - 1658...3BR,2BA$1.42
The HawthorneB2BR,2BA$1.42
Mane Gate ApartmentsRemodeled 3 Bed / 2 Bath with W/D3BR,2BA$1.32
530 N Dubuque St2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$1.00
Orchards & Woodlands2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.21
1006 Oakcrest Street ApartmentsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$1.28
Claremont Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.12
Scotsdale2 Bdrm2BR,1.5BA$1.12
Knollridge Garden Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1.16
The Overlook1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.52

Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Iowa City Overview

Iowa City is the perfect town for people of all ages. From the lively college scene to the quaint and cultural qualities throughout the many neighborhoods, Iowa City should be a top pick for many apartment-seekers. Additionally, Iowa City apartments cost much less than apartments around the country, so finding your next apartment in the area can also be very beneficial for your wallet. Whether you enjoy watching a competitive college football game or you like a peaceful bike ride around town, Iowa City is the perfect place to call home and enjoy life to the fullest.

Why live in Iowa City, IA?

If you love mild temperatures, peace and quiet, and a quaint college town, then Iowa City is perfect for you. This town is ideal for raising a family, enjoying retirement, or just trying somewhere new. And with a bustling sports scene, many historic buildings, and a thriving economy, Iowa City is a great place to live.

Best Local Schools in
Iowa City, IA

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Iowa City, IA Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Iowa City, IA

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Getting Around Iowa City, IA

Walk Score®

52 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

65 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

32 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Iowa City Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Iowa City?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Iowa City is under $995.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Iowa City?

The cheapest apartment in Iowa City is Lakewood Hills Apartments which is listed at $800, while the average apartment in Iowa City costs $1,567.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Iowa City?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 244 regular apartments in Iowa City that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Iowa City?

Cheap apartments in Iowa City have an average cost of $397 which is $1,170 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Iowa City.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Understanding Amenity Fees: Know Where You Might Be Able to Save Money

Written by: Amber Kanuckel

With the rising costs of housing, a lot of renters are asking this question: Is it possible to opt out of various amenities that your rental property offers so that you can avoid paying the fees.

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Know Your Rights - How Discrimination Laws Impact Landlords and Tenants

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everyone needs a place to live and to call home. For decades, the federal government has established protections to ensure that individuals and families can find housing free from discriminatory barriers.

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Renting Smart: Lease Basics Every Renter Needs

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Often, in the excitement of finding a new place to live, there’s a rush to make it happen, and - too often - a new tenant signs a lease without reading it carefully.

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Battling the Butts: Your Guide to the Reality of Smoke-Free Renting

Written by: Andrea Lee Negroni, JD

While many apartment buildings are “no smoking” properties, it’s hard to know exactly how many. In 2017, the National Apartment Association reported more than half of rental properties had smoke free policies.