Cost of Living in Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Black Hawk County ranks #2,245 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 29%)
Sourced county brief
Black Hawk County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $989 Monthly
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Black Hawk County is 29.5% per the ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. This figure is 4.1 percentage points higher than the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. The median gross rent was estimated at $989 per month, which is $157 above the state unweighted county mean of $832. Median home values in the county are $188,900, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $171,037. For all owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost is $1,067, which is $117 above the state unweighted mean of $950. Median renter-household income is reported as $40,390 in ACS table B25119. These data points from tables B25064, B25071, B25077, and B25088 offer a statistical profile of the county's housing costs for renters and owners during this period. 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: Black Hawk County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.5% of renter household income in Black Hawk 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 $989 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,067. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $39,560 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. Black Hawk County's $989 median is 18.8% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Black Hawk County
Rent Burden
17.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,550
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.3%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Black Hawk County
Median home value is $188,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,508 vs. your max of $1,550.
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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