Cost of Living in Iowa
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 1,018 cities in IA. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Iowa is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Iowa, with comparisons to national averages.
Iowa's average home value of $123,015 is 50% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $63,341, and average monthly rent is $595.
Most Affordable Cities in Iowa
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Oak | $91,600 | $768/mo | $52,996 | 5,542 |
| 2 | Ottumwa | $92,400 | $956/mo | $56,994 | 25,352 |
| 3 | Keokuk | $93,700 | $810/mo | $49,340 | 9,748 |
| 4 | Fort Madison | $95,900 | $824/mo | $49,359 | 10,221 |
| 5 | Estherville | $96,300 | $739/mo | $54,624 | 5,865 |
| 6 | Oelwein | $96,800 | $762/mo | $49,821 | 5,878 |
| 7 | Centerville | $99,000 | $758/mo | $41,472 | 5,377 |
| 8 | Iowa Falls | $106,300 | $898/mo | $53,051 | 5,062 |
| 9 | Clarinda | $112,200 | $653/mo | $50,644 | 5,366 |
| 10 | Creston | $112,600 | $672/mo | $50,752 | 7,466 |
| 11 | Clinton | $115,400 | $751/mo | $57,493 | 24,425 |
| 12 | Webster City | $115,400 | $878/mo | $65,844 | 7,769 |
| 13 | Burlington | $115,800 | $931/mo | $55,274 | 23,800 |
| 14 | Marshalltown | $117,100 | $864/mo | $68,854 | 27,491 |
| 15 | Charles City | $118,900 | $628/mo | $56,734 | 7,321 |
Most Expensive Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk City | $385,000 | $746/mo | $163,000 | 5,833 |
| 2 | Clive | $379,000 | $1,099/mo | $131,082 | 18,776 |
| 3 | Johnston | $346,200 | $1,288/mo | $103,430 | 24,196 |
| 4 | Eldridge | $329,400 | $845/mo | $101,089 | 6,743 |
| 5 | Waukee | $328,200 | $1,290/mo | $106,728 | 26,974 |
| 6 | Adel | $320,500 | $842/mo | $96,905 | 6,259 |
| 7 | Urbandale | $318,800 | $1,176/mo | $113,086 | 46,026 |
| 8 | Tiffin | $315,800 | $1,367/mo | $106,034 | 5,271 |
| 9 | Asbury | $312,400 | $1,379/mo | $130,071 | 5,949 |
| 10 | Ankeny | $311,300 | $1,279/mo | $106,603 | 70,542 |
Highest Income Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk City | $163,000 | $385,000 | 5,833 |
| 2 | Clive | $131,082 | $379,000 | 18,776 |
| 3 | Asbury | $130,071 | $312,400 | 5,949 |
| 4 | Bondurant | $128,341 | $288,600 | 8,061 |
| 5 | Sergeant Bluff | $122,610 | $287,600 | 5,090 |
| 6 | Urbandale | $113,086 | $318,800 | 46,026 |
| 7 | Waukee | $106,728 | $328,200 | 26,974 |
| 8 | Ankeny | $106,603 | $311,300 | 70,542 |
| 9 | Tiffin | $106,034 | $315,800 | 5,271 |
| 10 | Grimes | $104,497 | $281,000 | 15,810 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Iowa
What is the average cost of living in Iowa?
The average median home value across Iowa cities is $123,015, with average rent of $595/month. The average median household income is $63,341.
What are the cheapest cities in Iowa?
The most affordable cities in Iowa by home value include Red Oak ($91,600), Ottumwa ($92,400), Keokuk ($93,700).
What is the most expensive city in Iowa?
The most expensive city in Iowa is Polk City with a median home value of $385,000.
How does Iowa compare to the national average?
Iowa's average home value of $123,015 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $595/month is below the US average of $1,163.