Cost of Living in Decatur County, Iowa

$663/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$109,500

Median Home Value

18% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$663/mo

18% below state average

Median Home Value

$109,500

61% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

19.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Decatur County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Decatur County$663/mo

Iowa Average$812/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$663/mo

Median Gross Rent

$109,500

Median Home Value

$849/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

19.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur's ultra-low rents mask income challenge

Decatur County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% rivals the national average of 14%, but the story beneath is sobering: median household income of just $57,146 is 24% below the national median of $74,755. At $663 monthly rent, Decatur offers the cheapest housing in this county group, yet residents earn considerably less to afford it.

Lowest incomes, lowest rents in Iowa

Decatur County's median rent of $663 is 18% below Iowa's state average of $812, but its median household income of $57,146 is the lowest in the state comparison. The county's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio performs slightly better than Iowa's 14.1% average, only because rents are so dramatically low.

Decatur leads on affordability, lags on wages

While Decatur's $663 rent is lowest among its peers, the median income of $57,146 trails Davis County ($79,505) by 28% and Delaware County ($76,205) by 25%. The county's affordability advantage is driven by economic conditions rather than genuine prosperity.

Stretched budgets in Decatur County

Renters spend 13.9% of their $57,146 income on $663 rent, while homeowners allocate 17.8% to $849 monthly costs for homes valued at $109,500. With limited local income, Decatur residents have little margin for unexpected expenses despite housing's low absolute cost.

Decatur offers bargain housing—with trade-offs

Moving to Decatur County means accessing the cheapest rents and homes in Iowa, but you'll be relocating to a county with the state's lowest median incomes. This destination suits only those with remote income or strong job prospects; for most, the low costs come with genuine economic constraints.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Decatur County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

13.9%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,333

per month

Owner Cost Burden

17.8%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Decatur County

Median home value is $109,500. Estimated monthly cost: $874 vs. your max of $1,333.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio13.9%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Decatur County, Iowa?

Decatur County, Iowa has a median monthly rent of $663/mo and a median home value of $109,500. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 19.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Decatur County?

The median gross rent in Decatur County is $663/mo. This is 18% below state average for Iowa.

Is Decatur County affordable?

Decatur County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 19.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Decatur County's rent compare to the state average?

Decatur County's median rent of $663/mo is 18% below state average of $812/mo for Iowa.

What is the median home value in Decatur County?

The median home value in Decatur County, Iowa is $109,500. This is 61% below the national median home value of $281,900.