Iowa Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 99 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$812/mo
Average Home Value
$160,608
Average Owner Cost
$929/mo
▼30% below national average rentExplore on Map
At a Glance
Average Monthly Rent
$812/mo
30% below national median
Average Home Value
$160,608
43% below national median
Avg. Monthly Owner Cost
$929/mo
44% below national median
Affordability Rating
Affordable
Avg. rent under 30% of income
Housing Costs in Iowa: An Overview
The median rent in Iowa is $812 per month, which is 30% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Iowa, housing costs vary significantly by county. Dallas County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,239 per month and a median home value of $333,400. At the other end of the spectrum, Palo Alto County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $599 per month and homes valued at a median of $119,300.
The average home value across Iowa counties is $160,608, 43% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $69,830, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Iowa, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Iowa
How median rents are spread across 99 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Dallas County
Iowa
$1,239/mo
Home: $333,400
Rent/Income: 24.0%
Polk County
Iowa
$1,113/mo
Home: $248,400
Rent/Income: 27.0%
Johnson County
Iowa
$1,104/mo
Home: $293,100
Rent/Income: 33.0%
Story County
Iowa
$1,019/mo
Home: $243,600
Rent/Income: 30.0%
Warren County
Iowa
$975/mo
Home: $252,800
Rent/Income: 26.0%
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
Palo Alto County
Iowa
$599/mo
Home: $119,300
Rent/Income: 22.0%
Sac County
Iowa
$643/mo
Home: $138,400
Rent/Income: 17.0%
Franklin County
Iowa
$649/mo
Home: $118,500
Rent/Income: 19.0%
Wayne County
Iowa
$660/mo
Home: $102,300
Rent/Income: 23.0%
Decatur County
Iowa
$663/mo
Home: $109,500
Rent/Income: 19.0%
All Iowa Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas County | Moderate$1,239/mo | $333,400 | $1,672/mo | 24.0% |
| Polk County | Moderate$1,113/mo | $248,400 | $1,409/mo | 27.0% |
| Johnson County | Moderate$1,104/mo | $293,100 | $1,483/mo | 33.0% |
| Story County | Moderate$1,019/mo | $243,600 | $1,245/mo | 30.0% |
| Warren County | Affordable$975/mo | $252,800 | $1,386/mo | 26.0% |
| Pottawattamie County | Affordable$970/mo | $183,600 | $1,130/mo | 27.0% |
| Muscatine County | Affordable$966/mo | $172,400 | $1,030/mo | 26.0% |
| Black Hawk County | Affordable$962/mo | $182,400 | $1,043/mo | 29.0% |
| Scott County | Affordable$958/mo | $212,500 | $1,195/mo | 28.0% |
| Wapello County | Affordable$950/mo | $112,900 | $831/mo | 28.0% |
| Woodbury County | Affordable$946/mo | $172,000 | $1,026/mo | 25.0% |
| Dubuque County | Affordable$944/mo | $226,100 | $1,141/mo | 27.0% |
| Madison County | Affordable$938/mo | $236,900 | $1,378/mo | 25.0% |
| Dickinson County | Affordable$930/mo | $251,600 | $1,026/mo | 25.0% |
| Linn County | Affordable$915/mo | $204,400 | $1,232/mo | 27.0% |
| Adams County | Affordable$909/mo | $116,900 | $752/mo | 21.0% |
| Des Moines County | Affordable$908/mo | $137,000 | $930/mo | 33.0% |
| Mills County | Affordable$888/mo | $228,700 | $1,241/mo | 24.0% |
| Sioux County | Affordable$888/mo | $235,600 | $1,090/mo | 25.0% |
| Jefferson County | Affordable$881/mo | $161,200 | $915/mo | 34.0% |
| Marion County | Affordable$880/mo | $211,100 | $1,074/mo | 24.0% |
| Davis County | Affordable$878/mo | $146,000 | $1,010/mo | 23.0% |
| Plymouth County | Affordable$865/mo | $218,600 | $942/mo | 17.0% |
| Tama County | Affordable$865/mo | $139,900 | $891/mo | 26.0% |
| Poweshiek County | Affordable$864/mo | $184,200 | $1,060/mo | 25.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$862/mo | $199,600 | $1,063/mo | 24.0% |
| Cedar County | Affordable$860/mo | $199,700 | $1,099/mo | 27.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$860/mo | $134,100 | $934/mo | 23.0% |
| Kossuth County | Affordable$859/mo | $135,100 | $749/mo | 26.0% |
| Harrison County | Affordable$854/mo | $165,300 | $974/mo | 24.0% |
| Hamilton County | Affordable$853/mo | $132,300 | $846/mo | 22.0% |
| Bremer County | Affordable$844/mo | $207,200 | $1,037/mo | 23.0% |
| Cerro Gordo County | Affordable$840/mo | $154,100 | $886/mo | 23.0% |
| Clarke County | Affordable$836/mo | $160,200 | $1,084/mo | 27.0% |
| Buena Vista County | Affordable$835/mo | $146,900 | $879/mo | 21.0% |
| Boone County | Affordable$826/mo | $191,200 | $1,128/mo | 23.0% |
| Clinton County | Affordable$825/mo | $153,800 | $1,005/mo | 28.0% |
| Guthrie County | Affordable$823/mo | $163,900 | $958/mo | 26.0% |
| Jasper County | Affordable$822/mo | $176,800 | $1,012/mo | 28.0% |
| Keokuk County | Affordable$822/mo | $112,200 | $834/mo | 26.0% |
| Mahaska County | Affordable$821/mo | $140,900 | $865/mo | 21.0% |
| Benton County | Affordable$815/mo | $198,400 | $1,131/mo | 25.0% |
| Hardin County | Affordable$814/mo | $113,000 | $787/mo | 27.0% |
| Lee County | Affordable$814/mo | $123,600 | $846/mo | 28.0% |
| Fayette County | Affordable$813/mo | $130,800 | $870/mo | 28.0% |
| Shelby County | Affordable$810/mo | $156,200 | $925/mo | 28.0% |
| Buchanan County | Affordable$802/mo | $171,400 | $905/mo | 25.0% |
| Lyon County | Affordable$802/mo | $215,600 | $962/mo | 23.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$800/mo | $170,000 | $867/mo | 26.0% |
| Winneshiek County | Affordable$800/mo | $239,000 | $1,068/mo | 25.0% |
| Clay County | Affordable$798/mo | $171,500 | $913/mo | 25.0% |
| Louisa County | Affordable$797/mo | $137,600 | $872/mo | 19.0% |
| Osceola County | Affordable$796/mo | $123,800 | $749/mo | 29.0% |
| Monona County | Affordable$795/mo | $122,600 | $726/mo | 27.0% |
| Wright County | Affordable$788/mo | $109,800 | $716/mo | 25.0% |
| Monroe County | Affordable$787/mo | $135,900 | $900/mo | 32.0% |
| Hancock County | Affordable$784/mo | $129,300 | $814/mo | 25.0% |
| Montgomery County | Affordable$782/mo | $109,900 | $737/mo | 24.0% |
| Butler County | Affordable$780/mo | $156,500 | $902/mo | 23.0% |
| Appanoose County | Affordable$779/mo | $119,800 | $800/mo | 27.0% |
| Chickasaw County | Affordable$779/mo | $164,400 | $820/mo | 19.0% |
| Grundy County | Affordable$777/mo | $180,500 | $1,004/mo | 23.0% |
| Greene County | Affordable$774/mo | $140,500 | $844/mo | 25.0% |
| Henry County | Affordable$770/mo | $148,600 | $897/mo | 27.0% |
| O'Brien County | Affordable$770/mo | $158,900 | $834/mo | 21.0% |
| Cass County | Affordable$769/mo | $133,300 | $781/mo | 29.0% |
| Clayton County | Affordable$764/mo | $155,700 | $826/mo | 26.0% |
| Webster County | Affordable$762/mo | $138,500 | $832/mo | 25.0% |
| Jones County | Affordable$759/mo | $183,400 | $983/mo | 24.0% |
| Fremont County | Affordable$753/mo | $147,500 | $909/mo | 20.0% |
| Ringgold County | Affordable$745/mo | $150,300 | $1,074/mo | 28.0% |
| Delaware County | Affordable$743/mo | $168,700 | $966/mo | 27.0% |
| Pocahontas County | Affordable$743/mo | $93,300 | $644/mo | 19.0% |
| Mitchell County | Affordable$739/mo | $164,100 | $858/mo | 23.0% |
| Lucas County | Affordable$738/mo | $117,000 | $857/mo | 26.0% |
| Emmet County | Affordable$731/mo | $106,200 | $709/mo | 21.0% |
| Humboldt County | Affordable$731/mo | $146,900 | $789/mo | 20.0% |
| Page County | Affordable$731/mo | $120,000 | $755/mo | 27.0% |
| Adair County | Affordable$730/mo | $140,600 | $921/mo | 24.0% |
| Crawford County | Affordable$727/mo | $136,300 | $865/mo | 23.0% |
| Carroll County | Affordable$722/mo | $175,700 | $846/mo | 26.0% |
| Iowa County | Affordable$722/mo | $189,800 | $1,121/mo | 23.0% |
| Allamakee County | Affordable$717/mo | $171,900 | $849/mo | 19.0% |
| Winnebago County | Affordable$712/mo | $132,300 | $776/mo | 25.0% |
| Cherokee County | Affordable$711/mo | $145,100 | $747/mo | 28.0% |
| Audubon County | Affordable$707/mo | $110,400 | $683/mo | 29.0% |
| Taylor County | Affordable$707/mo | $109,700 | $776/mo | 19.0% |
| Worth County | Affordable$703/mo | $142,300 | $821/mo | 18.0% |
| Howard County | Affordable$699/mo | $133,900 | $769/mo | 19.0% |
| Calhoun County | Affordable$690/mo | $114,400 | $669/mo | 22.0% |
| Van Buren County | Affordable$686/mo | $118,800 | $689/mo | 28.0% |
| Union County | Affordable$683/mo | $117,800 | $822/mo | 25.0% |
| Floyd County | Affordable$672/mo | $133,300 | $845/mo | 25.0% |
| Ida County | Affordable$669/mo | $108,800 | $675/mo | 22.0% |
| Decatur County | Affordable$663/mo | $109,500 | $849/mo | 19.0% |
| Wayne County | Affordable$660/mo | $102,300 | $737/mo | 23.0% |
| Franklin County | Affordable$649/mo | $118,500 | $664/mo | 19.0% |
| Sac County | Affordable$643/mo | $138,400 | $692/mo | 17.0% |
| Palo Alto County | Affordable$599/mo | $119,300 | $750/mo | 22.0% |
Compare Iowa to Other States
See how Iowa counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Iowa Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Iowa?
Palo Alto County is among the most affordable counties in Iowa with a median rent of $599 per month.
What is the most expensive county to live in Iowa?
Dallas County is among the most expensive counties in Iowa with a median rent of $1,239 per month and a median home value of $333,400.
How does Iowa's cost of living compare to the national average?
Iowa's average monthly rent of $812 is 30% below the national median of $1,163.
What is the average home value in Iowa?
The average home value across all Iowa counties is $160,608.
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.