Cost of Living in St. Donatus, IA

With a cost of living index of 77, St. Donatus, IA is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 23% cheaper than the national average and 6% above the Iowa state average of 71. St. Donatus is a small community of 131 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in St. Donatus's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $945 (28% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $207,400 (32% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in St. Donatus is $41,813, which is 44% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to St. Donatus. The area sees an average annual temperature of 47.2°F, with summers averaging 70°F and winters around 22°F. Annual rainfall totals 38.2 inches spread over roughly 118 days. Cold winters mean higher heating bills, an important cost-of-living consideration.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.