Cost of Living in Muscatine County, Iowa
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Muscatine County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Muscatine County ranks #2,449 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 22%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Muscatine County, Iowa
Muscatine County faces housing affordability crisis
Muscatine County renters spend 16.7% of income on housing—well into the national stress zone and above the healthy 12-15% range—indicating genuine affordability strain. With a median household income of $69,512, residents are stretched thin by rents averaging $966 monthly, the region's highest.
Worst affordability in Iowa among eight counties
Muscatine County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% significantly exceeds Iowa's state average of 14.1%, making it the least affordable county in this eight-county cohort. Renters here pay $966 monthly—the region's highest rent by a substantial margin—pushing housing costs into genuinely difficult territory.
Regional leader in housing stress
Muscatine County renters spend 16.7% of income on housing compared to 12.1% in Mills County and 12.9% in Mitchell County—a 4-6 percentage point gap that translates to real monthly struggle. Only Monona County (15.2%) approaches Muscatine's affordability crisis, making both outliers in the region.
Both rents and mortgages strain budgets
Muscatine County renters pay 16.7% of their $69,512 income toward $966 monthly rent, while homebuyers invest $1,030 monthly on properties worth $172,400. Both pathways demand substantial income percentages, suggesting systemic housing affordability challenges across the county's entire market.
Compare carefully before relocating here
Muscatine County demands caution: housing costs consume a larger share of income than any neighboring county, and both renting and buying strain household budgets significantly. If considering relocation to Iowa, the seven surrounding counties offer substantially better affordability profiles for your money.
Cost of Living Advisory: Muscatine County
Affordability Verdict
Muscatine County is affordable for renters, with a median gross rent of $966/month representing approximately 16.7% of median household income. The rent burden (GRAPI) stands at 26.0%.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Muscatine County is $966/month, while owner costs run $1,030/month. Renting saves approximately $64/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $38,640/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $44,143/year. With a median household income of $69,512, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 26.0% of renter households in Muscatine County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Iowa, Muscatine County is more affordable than Linn County by roughly 6% ($966/mo vs $915/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Muscatine County
Rent Burden
16.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,622
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Muscatine County
Median home value is $172,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,376 vs. your max of $1,622.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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 (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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