Cost of Living in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Cherokee County ranks #924 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 29%)
Sourced county brief
Cherokee County Renter Median Income Estimated at $29,747
Renter-household median income in Cherokee County was estimated at $29,747 during the survey period. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 29.6%, which is 4.2 percentage points higher than the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. Median gross rent was $758 per month, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $832. For homeowners, the median home value was $158,700, which is below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. Selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $785, lower than the state unweighted county mean of $950. These metrics are part of the ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. 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: Cherokee County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.6% of renter household income in Cherokee 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 $758 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $785. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,320 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. Cherokee County's $758 median is 8.9% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Cherokee County
Rent Burden
12.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,663
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Cherokee County
Median home value is $158,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,267 vs. your max of $1,663.
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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