Cost of Living in Iowa

Iowa has a cost of living index of 71, making it 29% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $67,947 (10% below the US median of $75,149). Across 949 cities tracked in Iowa, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Iowa cities is $811/mo (39% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $132,771 (56% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 39-point spread between the most affordable city, Charles City (index 61), and the most expensive, Johnston (index 100) — a moderate range typical of states with a mix of urban and rural areas.

When evaluating Iowa, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Iowa by population are Des Moines (index 79, pop. 212,464), Cedar Rapids (index 74, pop. 136,859), Davenport (index 73, pop. 101,083), Sioux City (index 73, pop. 85,651), and Iowa City (index 88, pop. 75,264). All of these major cities are above the state average, a pattern common in states where metro areas drive up costs relative to rural communities.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.