Cost of Living in Delaware 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 Delaware County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Delaware County ranks #1,477 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 47%)
Sourced county brief
Delaware County renter median income estimated at $35,982
The median renter-household income in Delaware County is $35,982. Median gross rent in the county was estimated at $764 per month, which is below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $832. According to official ACS B25071 data, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 27.7%. This figure is 2.3 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 25.4%. For owner-occupied units, the median home value is $177,900, while the state unweighted county mean is $171,037. Median selected monthly owner costs were reported at $998, above the state unweighted county mean of $950. These values are 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: Delaware County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.7% of renter household income in Delaware 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 $764 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $998. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,560 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. Delaware County's $764 median is 8.2% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Delaware County
Rent Burden
12.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,750
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Delaware County
Median home value is $177,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,420 vs. your max of $1,750.
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 Delaware 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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