Cost of Living in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Palo Alto County ranks #533 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 17%)
Sourced county brief
Palo Alto County Median Rent Estimated Below State Unweighted Mean
Median gross rent in Palo Alto County was estimated at $638 per month. This figure is $194 below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $832. For renter households, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 24.1%. This is the official ACS B25071 GRAPI estimate and is 1.3 percentage points below the state unweighted county mean of 25.4%. Renter-household income for the county was reported at a median of $33,839. In the owner-occupied sector, the median home value was $123,200, which is below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $751, while the state unweighted county mean was $950. These statistics are part of the American Community Survey 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: Palo Alto County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.1% of renter household income in Palo Alto 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 $638 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $751. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $25,520 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. Palo Alto County's $638 median is 23.4% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Palo Alto County
Rent Burden
10.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,698
per month
Owner Cost Burden
12.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Palo Alto County
Median home value is $123,200. Estimated monthly cost: $984 vs. your max of $1,698.
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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