Cost of Living in Plymouth 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 Plymouth County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Plymouth County ranks #1,886 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 40%)
Sourced county brief
Plymouth County Renter Incomes and Housing Value Statistics
In Plymouth County, the median renter-household income is $56,200. This accompanies an official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) of 18.4%, which is 7.0 percentage points lower than the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. The median gross rent in the county is $910 per month, positioned above the state unweighted county mean of $832. For owner-occupied properties, the median home value was estimated at $228,900, which exceeds the state unweighted county mean of $171,037. The median selected monthly owner cost for all units is $928, slightly below the state unweighted county mean of $950. All rent-to-income figures cited are canonical GRAPI percentages from ACS table B25071. These data points provide a statistical profile of housing costs from 2020 to 2024 and are not projections. 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: Plymouth County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 18.4% of renter household income in Plymouth 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 $910 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $928. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $36,400 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. Plymouth County's $910 median is 9.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Plymouth County
Rent Burden
13.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,943
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Plymouth County
Median home value is $228,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,827 vs. your max of $1,943.
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 Plymouth County, Iowa?
What is the median rent in Plymouth County?
Is Plymouth County affordable?
How does Plymouth County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Plymouth County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Plymouth County, Iowa? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Plymouth County
Whether you're buying in Plymouth 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.