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.

Buyer authority IA

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 September 2026

Iowa ranking

50 cities ranked. Click any row for the matching local page.

#	City	Est. monthly payment	Score
1	Urbandale	$2,454/mo	53	View →
2	West Des Moines	$2,262/mo	58	View →
3	Bettendorf	$2,254/mo	58	View →
4	Clive	$2,262/mo	58	View →
5	Johnston	$2,230/mo	59	View →
6	Ankeny	$2,158/mo	61	View →
7	Waukee	$2,141/mo	62	View →
8	Cedar Rapids	$2,021/mo	65	View →
9	Pleasant Hill	$2,013/mo	65	View →
10	Grimes	$2,021/mo	65	View →
11	Norwalk	$1,965/mo	67	View →
12	Marion	$1,909/mo	68	View →
13	Eldridge	$1,869/mo	69	View →
14	North Liberty	$1,821/mo	71	View →
15	Dubuque	$1,781/mo	72	View →
16	Altoona	$1,789/mo	72	View →
17	Waverly	$1,797/mo	72	View →
18	Glenwood	$1,773/mo	72	View →
19	Sioux Center	$1,781/mo	72	View →
20	Cedar Falls	$1,748/mo	73	View →
21	Coralville	$1,756/mo	73	View →
22	Pella	$1,724/mo	74	View →
23	Iowa City	$1,668/mo	75	View →
24	Independence	$1,692/mo	75	View →
25	De Witt	$1,644/mo	76	View →
26	Indianola	$1,620/mo	77	View →
27	Spencer	$1,596/mo	77	View →
28	Spirit Lake	$1,604/mo	77	View →
29	Nevada	$1,596/mo	77	View →
30	Des Moines	$1,580/mo	78	View →
31	Muscatine	$1,572/mo	78	View →
32	Clear Lake	$1,564/mo	78	View →
33	Anamosa	$1,580/mo	78	View →
34	Winterset	$1,572/mo	78	View →
35	Council Bluffs	$1,540/mo	79	View →
36	Ames	$1,540/mo	79	View →
37	Marshalltown	$1,532/mo	79	View →
38	Decorah	$1,500/mo	80	View →
39	Fairfield	$1,492/mo	80	View →
40	Washington	$1,484/mo	80	View →
41	Clinton	$1,452/mo	81	View →
42	Boone	$1,460/mo	81	View →
43	Le Mars	$1,476/mo	81	View →
44	Manchester	$1,460/mo	81	View →
45	Davenport	$1,420/mo	82	View →
46	Mason City	$1,420/mo	82	View →
47	Burlington	$1,412/mo	83	View →
48	Fort Dodge	$1,404/mo	83	View →
49	Grinnell	$1,380/mo	83	View →
50	Mount Pleasant	$1,363/mo	84	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.