Cost of Living in Polk 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 Polk County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Polk County ranks #2,677 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 15%)
Sourced county brief
Polk County Housing Costs Exceed State Unweighted County Means
The median home value in Polk County was estimated at $262,100, which is $91,063 above the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. For homeowners, median selected monthly owner costs for all units were $1,437, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $950. Among renter-occupied units, the median gross rent was $1,149 per month, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $832. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 28.4%. This percentage is 3.0 percentage points higher than the Iowa unweighted county mean of 25.4%. The median income for renter households was reported at $49,375. These figures provide a snapshot of the housing cost environment based on federal surveys. 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: Polk County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.4% of renter household income in Polk 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 $1,149 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,437. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $45,960 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. Polk County's $1,149 median is 38.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Polk County
Rent Burden
16.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,950
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.6%
of gross income
The median home in Polk County may be a stretch
Median home value is $262,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,092 vs. your max of $1,950.
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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