Cost of Living in Clarke 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 Clarke County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clarke County ranks #2,127 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 32%)
Sourced county brief
Clarke County Median Gross Rent Reaches $931 Per Month
In Clarke County, the median gross rent was estimated at $931 per month, which is $99 higher than the Iowa unweighted county mean of $832. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.7% according to ACS B25071, which is 3.3 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 25.4%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units reached $1,074, exceeding the Iowa unweighted county mean of $950. The median home value in the county was $161,100, while the state unweighted county mean was $171,037. Renter-household median income was $40,445 for the survey period. These figures are derived from the 2020-2024 ACS 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: Clarke County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.7% of renter household income in Clarke 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 $931 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,074. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $37,240 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. Clarke County's $931 median is 11.8% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clarke County
Rent Burden
15.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,672
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Clarke County
Median home value is $161,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,286 vs. your max of $1,672.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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 Clarke County, Iowa?
What is the median rent in Clarke County?
Is Clarke County affordable?
How does Clarke County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Clarke County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Clarke County, Iowa? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Clarke County
Whether you're buying in Clarke County, Iowa, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.