Cost of Living in Woodbury County, Iowa
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Woodbury County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Woodbury County, Iowa
Woodbury rents higher than national norm
Woodbury County renters spend 16.2% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average of roughly 15%. Though the county's median income of $70,147 sits slightly below the national median of $74,755, housing costs here demand a larger slice of household budgets than most Americans face.
Least affordable county in Iowa's trio
Woodbury's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% ranks it above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, making it the least affordable of the three counties examined. At $946 monthly rent, Woodbury also exceeds the state median of $812 by $134 per month.
Worth and Wright offer cheaper housing
Worth County renters pay just $703 monthly—$243 less than Woodbury—while Wright County comes in at $788. Despite neighboring similar terrain and communities, Worth County's housing advantage reflects stronger income levels ($76,875 vs Woodbury's $70,147) and lower overall demand.
Owners and renters both stretched
Woodbury renters pay $946 monthly while homeowners carry $1,026 in monthly costs on a median home value of $172,000. With median household income at $70,147, housing alone consumes roughly 22-23% of gross income when both rent and ownership costs are factored in.
Worth County offers better affordability
If housing affordability matters to your relocation decision, Worth County's 11% rent-to-income ratio and $703 rents represent meaningful savings compared to Woodbury. The modest income difference ($6,700 higher in Worth) combined with significantly lower housing costs makes Worth a stronger choice for budget-conscious movers.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Woodbury County
Rent Burden
16.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,637
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.6%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Woodbury County
Median home value is $172,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,373 vs. your max of $1,637.
Rent Affordability Guide
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.