Cheapest rent-to-own markets in Iowa.
Rent-to-own works best where monthly carrying costs are reachable on a typical household income. This ranks Iowa by estimated monthly payment on a median-priced home with a 10% option fee.
Last updated
Iowa ranking
50 cities ranked. Click any row for the matching local page.
| # | City | Est. monthly payment | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keokuk | $1,091/mo | 92 | View → |
| 2 | Charles City | $1,163/mo | 90 | View → |
| 3 | Maquoketa | $1,163/mo | 90 | View → |
| 4 | Centerville | $1,139/mo | 90 | View → |
| 5 | Perry | $1,219/mo | 88 | View → |
| 6 | Waterloo | $1,251/mo | 87 | View → |
| 7 | Fort Madison | $1,259/mo | 87 | View → |
| 8 | Creston | $1,251/mo | 87 | View → |
| 9 | Webster City | $1,267/mo | 87 | View → |
| 10 | Sioux City | $1,299/mo | 86 | View → |
| 11 | Oskaloosa | $1,275/mo | 86 | View → |
| 12 | Storm Lake | $1,307/mo | 86 | View → |
| 13 | Denison | $1,307/mo | 86 | View → |
| 14 | Evansdale | $1,275/mo | 86 | View → |
| 15 | Atlantic | $1,283/mo | 86 | View → |
| 16 | Ottumwa | $1,331/mo | 85 | View → |
| 17 | Newton | $1,331/mo | 85 | View → |
| 18 | Carroll | $1,331/mo | 85 | View → |
| 19 | Knoxville | $1,323/mo | 85 | View → |
| 20 | Mount Pleasant | $1,363/mo | 84 | View → |
| 21 | Burlington | $1,412/mo | 83 | View → |
| 22 | Fort Dodge | $1,404/mo | 83 | View → |
| 23 | Grinnell | $1,380/mo | 83 | View → |
| 24 | Davenport | $1,420/mo | 82 | View → |
| 25 | Mason City | $1,420/mo | 82 | View → |
| 26 | Clinton | $1,452/mo | 81 | View → |
| 27 | Boone | $1,460/mo | 81 | View → |
| 28 | Le Mars | $1,476/mo | 81 | View → |
| 29 | Manchester | $1,460/mo | 81 | View → |
| 30 | Decorah | $1,500/mo | 80 | View → |
| 31 | Fairfield | $1,492/mo | 80 | View → |
| 32 | Washington | $1,484/mo | 80 | View → |
| 33 | Council Bluffs | $1,540/mo | 79 | View → |
| 34 | Ames | $1,540/mo | 79 | View → |
| 35 | Marshalltown | $1,532/mo | 79 | View → |
| 36 | Des Moines | $1,580/mo | 78 | View → |
| 37 | Muscatine | $1,572/mo | 78 | View → |
| 38 | Clear Lake | $1,564/mo | 78 | View → |
| 39 | Anamosa | $1,580/mo | 78 | View → |
| 40 | Winterset | $1,572/mo | 78 | View → |
| 41 | Indianola | $1,620/mo | 77 | View → |
| 42 | Spencer | $1,596/mo | 77 | View → |
| 43 | Spirit Lake | $1,604/mo | 77 | View → |
| 44 | Nevada | $1,596/mo | 77 | View → |
| 45 | De Witt | $1,644/mo | 76 | View → |
| 46 | Iowa City | $1,668/mo | 75 | View → |
| 47 | Independence | $1,692/mo | 75 | View → |
| 48 | Pella | $1,724/mo | 74 | View → |
| 49 | Cedar Falls | $1,748/mo | 73 | View → |
| 50 | Coralville | $1,756/mo | 73 | View → |
Methodology
Estimated monthly payment = (median home price × 0.9) amortized at 8% over 30 years + 1.2% taxes + 0.5% insurance, divided by 12. Lower payment = better rent-to-own market.
FAQ
- What makes a Iowa rent-to-own market 'cheap'?
- Low estimated monthly payment relative to local incomes. Sub-$1,500/month markets are the most accessible.
- Are option fees included?
- We assume 10% option fee credited toward purchase; the monthly payment estimate excludes that up-front amount.
- Does this guarantee a home at this price?
- No. Listings vary; this is a market-level estimate to compare cities side-by-side.
Other reports for Iowa
Best Cities for Owner Financing
Cities With Most FSBO Activity
Investor Competition by Market
Estimated Owner-Finance Down Payment by City
Cities With Most Cash Buyers
Foreclosure Risk by City
Most Affordable Cities for Buyers
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