Cost of Living in Tama County, Iowa
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Tama County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Tama County ranks #902 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 29%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Tama County, Iowa
Tama County rents track above national average
Tama County renters spend 15.3% of income on housing, above the national benchmark of 14.1%, though median rent of $865 remains moderate nationwide. The county reflects typical Midwest rural-to-exurban pricing patterns with moderate affordability pressures.
Above-average costs for rural Iowa
Tama County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Iowa's 14.1% state average, placing it among pricier rural counties statewide. Median rent of $865 runs $53 above Iowa's typical, suggesting modest but real affordability challenges relative to Iowa peers.
Pricier than rural peers, cheaper than urban
Tama County's $865 rent undercuts Scott County's urban pricing ($958) but exceeds affordable rural neighbors like Sac ($643) and Shelby ($810). Home values of $139,900 maintain this intermediate positioning between lowest-cost and highest-cost counties in the region.
Housing cost above typical Iowa share
Earning $67,955, Tama County residents allocate 15.3% to rent or 15.8% to mortgage payments, slightly above state comfort zones. While manageable, this leaves less discretionary income than Iowa's 14.1% benchmark suggests households should expect.
Tama County: modest affordability trade-off
Tama County offers reasonable housing but at slightly above-average Iowa cost—a fair choice if local employment or community ties outweigh the affordability premium. At $865 rent, budget roughly 15% of income for housing; if that fits your relocation calculus, Tama remains viable.
Cost of Living Advisory: Tama County
Affordability Verdict
Tama County offers affordable rental housing at a median of $865/month — about 15.3% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Tama County is $865/month, while owner costs run $891/month. Renting saves approximately $26/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $34,600/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $38,186/year. With a median household income of $67,955, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 26.0% of renter households in Tama County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Hardin County where rent averages $814/month, Tama County is approximately 6% more expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Tama County
Rent Burden
15.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,586
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Tama County
Median home value is $139,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,117 vs. your max of $1,586.
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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