Cost of Living in Adams County, Iowa
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Adams County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Adams County ranks #1,476 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 47%)
Sourced county brief
Adams County Median Home Value Estimated at $131,600
In Adams County, Iowa, the median home value was estimated at $131,600 according to the ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. This figure is below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. The median gross rent in the county is $893 per month, which is $61 above the state unweighted county mean of $832. For those in owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner cost is $767, which sits below the state unweighted mean of $950. Regarding rental affordability, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 24.2%. This official B25071 estimate is 1.2 percentage points lower than the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. Median renter-household income in the county was reported as $49,063 in table B25119. These statistics provide a snapshot of housing costs across different tenure groups using data from tables B25064, B25071, B25077, and B25088. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Adams County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.2% of renter household income in Adams County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $893 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $767. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,720 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Iowa unweighted mean of county median rents is $832 per month. Adams County's $893 median is 7.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Adams County
Rent Burden
14.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,677
per month
Owner Cost Burden
12.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Adams County
Median home value is $131,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,051 vs. your max of $1,677.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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