salaryRent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.7 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 57.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,760 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 77 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Johnston?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Johnston
| Size | Johnston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,368 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,256 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,508 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,841 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,130 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Johnston overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Johnston, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Johnston
Life in Johnston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Johnston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $942 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $369,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Johnston, IA?
Renting in Johnston costs a median of about $1,619 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Johnston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,760 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnston cheap or expensive?
Johnston is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.9% of the typical household income of $114,915. It ranks 77th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Johnston?
The median homeowner in Johnston pays $6,577 a year in property taxes, about 1.78% of the median home value.
Is Johnston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Johnston?
The median home value in Johnston is $369,100, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
24,384 people live in Johnston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.