Rent, home prices, and cost of living in Iowa
Across the 86 Iowa cities with committed home, rent, and income data, the population-weighted cost index is 88, 12% below the U.S. baseline of 100. In that sample, the median city home value is $229,412, the median city monthly rent is $1,016, and the median city household income is $66,235.
Cross-city statistics over the 86 Iowa cities with committed home, rent, and income data; not a statewide household median. Home value and rent: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI Aug 2026 where matched, HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR where no ZORI match, otherwise Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Household income: Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Cost index: population-weighted across the sample from those housing inputs plus BEA 2024 regional price parities.
Major cities in Iowa
Tax context: top income-tax rate 3.8%, estimated combined sales tax 6.94%, property-tax proxy 1.33%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
All 86 Iowa cities
Every committed place in Iowa, grouped by population. Each entry links straight to its cost-of-living page, and the list is rendered on the server so it is visible without JavaScript.
Cities of 100,000 or more 3 cities
Cities of 25,000 to 99,999 16 cities
Cities of 10,000 to 24,999 23 cities
Places under 10,000 44 cities
- Keokuk, IA
- Grinnell, IA
- Fairfield, IA
- Mount Pleasant, IA
- Bondurant, IA
- Sioux Center, IA
- Denison, IA
- Perry, IA
- Webster City, IA
- Clear Lake, IA
- Decorah, IA
- Knoxville, IA
- Creston, IA
- Washington, IA
- Charles City, IA
- Hiawatha, IA
- Nevada, IA
- Eldridge, IA
- Atlantic, IA
- Adel, IA
- Orange City, IA
- Independence, IA
- Maquoketa, IA
- Polk City, IA
- Asbury, IA
- Estherville, IA
- Oelwein, IA
- Tiffin, IA
- Anamosa, IA
- DeWitt, IA
- Osceola, IA
- Spirit Lake, IA
- Red Oak, IA
- Sheldon, IA
- Winterset, IA
- Algona, IA
- Centerville, IA
- Clarinda, IA
- Manchester, IA
- Sergeant Bluff, IA
- Cherokee, IA
- Glenwood, IA
- Windsor Heights, IA
- Iowa Falls, IA
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. HUD FMRs are 2-bedroom 40th-percentile gross-rent program benchmarks, not market medians. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is from the Tax Foundation 2026 edition, based on 2024 ACS.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa
Iowa housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in Iowa?+
Among the cities we track, Centerville stands out as the most affordable option in Iowa. The median home value there is $79,766, and monthly rent typically runs around $927. The local median household income is $46,563, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Iowa?+
Clive is currently the priciest market in IA. Homes there are valued at a median of $430,770, and renters can expect to pay around $1,635/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $132,121 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Iowa?+
Iowa uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 3.8% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 1.33% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 6.94%.
How much does housing vary across Iowa?+
There's a huge range. In Centerville, the median home costs around $79,766. In Clive, that number jumps to $430,770 — roughly 4x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $927/month vs. $1,635/month. Where you choose to settle within IA can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Iowa a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Iowa has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $79,766 in lower-cost tracked places to $430,770 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in IA.