Cost of Living in Buchanan 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 Buchanan County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Buchanan County ranks #1,693 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 46%)
Sourced county brief
Official GRAPI in Buchanan County Estimated at 24.9 Percent
The median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Buchanan County, Iowa, is 24.9%. This official B25071 figure is 0.5 percentage points below the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. Median gross rent in the county is $848 per month, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $832. For those in owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost is $938, a value below the state unweighted county mean of $950. The median home value in Buchanan County was estimated at $176,000, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $171,037. Renter households in the county have a median income of $43,854. These statistics represent a snapshot of the 2020-2024 5-year period and include both homeowners and renters as distinct tenure groups. 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: Buchanan County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.9% of renter household income in Buchanan 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 $848 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $938. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $33,920 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. Buchanan County's $848 median is 1.9% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Buchanan County
Rent Burden
13.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,826
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Buchanan County
Median home value is $176,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,405 vs. your max of $1,826.
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
What is the cost of living in Buchanan County, Iowa?
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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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