Cost of Living in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Van Buren County ranks #317 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 10%)
Sourced county brief
Van Buren County Official Rent Burden at 29.3 Percent
The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Van Buren County was 29.3% according to the latest estimates. This figure differs from the Iowa unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 25.4% by 3.9 percentage points. Median gross rent in the county was $622 per month, which is below the Iowa unweighted county mean of $832. For owner-occupied housing units, the median monthly owner cost was $669, while the unweighted state county mean was $950. The median home value in Van Buren County was estimated at $114,600, compared to the Iowa unweighted county mean of $171,037. The median renter-household income was recorded at $31,250. These statistics are snapshots from the American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for the 2020-2024 period. 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: Van Buren County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.3% of renter household income in Van Buren 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 $622 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $669. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $24,880 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. Van Buren County's $622 median is 25.3% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Van Buren County
Rent Burden
12.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,427
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.1%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Van Buren County
Median home value is $114,600. Estimated monthly cost: $915 vs. your max of $1,427.
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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