Cost of Living in Ringgold County, Iowa

$745/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$150,300

Median Home Value

8% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$745/mo

8% below state average

Median Home Value

$150,300

47% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

28.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Ringgold County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Ringgold County$745/mo

Iowa Average$812/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$745/mo

Median Gross Rent

$150,300

Median Home Value

$1,074/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

28.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Ringgold County, Iowa

Ringgold offers solid affordability baseline

At 12.8% of household income, Ringgold County renters beat the national average for affordability, with median rents of $745 paired against a median income of $69,821. This county delivers genuine rental affordability despite slightly below-average local incomes.

Below-average rents, better affordability

Ringgold County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Iowa's 14.1% state average, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. This favorable status stems from reasonable rent levels combined with reasonably strong local incomes.

Competitive in south-central region

Ringgold County's $745 rent matches Pocahontas County and undercuts Poweshiek County ($864) by $119 monthly. Paired with above-average incomes for a rural county, Ringgold offers solid regional value for renters.

Ownership costs spike dramatically

Renters pay $745 monthly while homeowners spend $1,074—a striking 44% gap reflecting median home values of $150,300. Renters spend just 12.8% of the $69,821 income on housing, but buyers commit 18.4%—a substantial ownership premium.

Renters' haven, buyers beware

Ringgold County appeals strongly to renters seeking rural affordability, as housing costs consume far less income here than neighboring counties. Prospective homebuyers should carefully evaluate whether ownership costs justify the investment, as rental affordability doesn't translate to purchasing ease.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Ringgold County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

12.8%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,629

per month

Owner Cost Burden

18.5%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Ringgold County

Median home value is $150,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,200 vs. your max of $1,629.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio12.8%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ringgold County, Iowa?

Ringgold County, Iowa has a median monthly rent of $745/mo and a median home value of $150,300. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 28.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Ringgold County?

The median gross rent in Ringgold County is $745/mo. This is 8% below state average for Iowa.

Is Ringgold County affordable?

Ringgold County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 28.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Ringgold County's rent compare to the state average?

Ringgold County's median rent of $745/mo is 8% below state average of $812/mo for Iowa.

What is the median home value in Ringgold County?

The median home value in Ringgold County, Iowa is $150,300. This is 47% below the national median home value of $281,900.