2024 · Iowa
Rental yield in Iowa
In 2024, the typical rental in Iowa produced a gross yield of 5.2% — $981/mo median rent against a $227K median home value, ranking 17th of 51 states.
5.2%
Gross rental yield
above the 4.9% U.S. median
$981/mo
Median gross rent
incl. utilities (ACS)
$227K
Median home value
owner-occupied (ACS)
Iowa metros by yield
Metropolitan areas in Iowa with at least 65,000 residents, ranked by gross rental yield.
| Metro | Gross yield | Median rent | Median value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 6.4% | $971/mo | $182K |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 5.9% | $1,047/mo | $212K |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 5.6% | $1,002/mo | $215K |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 5.0% | $1,230/mo | $293K |
| Dubuque, IA | 5.0% | $1,047/mo | $252K |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.9% | $933/mo | $227K |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 4.9% | $1,178/mo | $288K |
| Iowa City, IA | 4.2% | $1,099/mo | $315K |
| Ames, IA | 4.1% | $950/mo | $280K |
Frequently asked questions
What is the gross rental yield in Iowa?
In 2024, Iowa had a gross rental yield of 5.2% — $981/mo median gross rent against a $227K median home value. That ranks 17th of 51 states (1 = highest yield). Nationally the figure was 4.9%.
Which Iowa metros have the best rental yield?
Among Iowa metros covered by the data, gross yield was highest in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL (6.4%), Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA (5.9%), and Sioux City, IA-NE-SD (5.6%).
Does this account for expenses or financing?
No. Gross yield is a top-line market screen — it excludes property taxes, insurance, vacancy, management, and financing. Use it to compare markets, then run a specific deal through a cap-rate or cash-flow calculator.
How investors finance deals in Iowa
Yield shows where the numbers work; our Investor Financing Report for Iowa shows the rate premium, denial rate, and DSCR lending investors face there.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Gross rental yield = (median gross rent × 12) ÷ median home value. A market screen, not a net return.