Cost of Living in Carroll 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 Carroll County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Carroll County ranks #1,000 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 32%)
Sourced county brief
Carroll County Median Gross Rent Below State Unweighted Mean
The median gross rent in Carroll County, Iowa, was estimated at $731 per month according to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-year estimates. This value is $101 lower than the Iowa unweighted county mean of $832. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 22.3%, which is 3.1 percentage points below the state unweighted county mean of 25.4%. For renter households, the median income is $38,381. Among homeowners, the median home value is $176,000, slightly above the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $851, which is lower than the state unweighted county mean of $950. These measurements represent the specific housing tenure categories as of the 2020-2024 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: Carroll County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 22.3% of renter household income in Carroll 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 $731 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $851. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,240 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. Carroll County's $731 median is 12.2% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Carroll County
Rent Burden
12.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,702
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Carroll County
Median home value is $176,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,405 vs. your max of $1,702.
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 Carroll 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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