Cost of Living in Iowa
19 cities • 1,281,277 total population • 2026 Data
$75,189
Avg. Median Income
-3% vs national
$1,039
Avg. Median Rent
-23% vs national
$215,489
Avg. Home Value
-36% vs national
4.0%
Avg. Unemployment
Overview
Iowa has 19 cities with populations over 25,000, totaling 1,281,277 residents. The average median household income across these cities is $75,189, which is 3% below the national median.
Rent averages $1,039 per month, and the average home value is $215,489. The largest city is Des Moines, while Marshalltown offers the lowest rent and Waukee has the highest.
Most Affordable Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshalltown | $864 | $68,854 | $117,100 |
| 2 | Mason City | $874 | $62,369 | $130,000 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $896 | $56,344 | $150,200 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids | $925 | $67,859 | $177,100 |
| 5 | Davenport | $930 | $64,497 | $162,900 |
Most Expensive Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukee | $1,290 | $106,728 | $328,200 |
| 2 | Ankeny | $1,279 | $106,603 | $311,300 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | $1,194 | $84,925 | $286,300 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | $1,177 | $74,165 | $252,500 |
| 5 | Urbandale | $1,176 | $113,086 | $318,800 |
Highest Income Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Income | Median Rent | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urbandale | $113,086 | $1,176 | 46,026 |
| 2 | Waukee | $106,728 | $1,290 | 26,974 |
| 3 | Ankeny | $106,603 | $1,279 | 70,542 |
| 4 | Bettendorf | $102,917 | $1,148 | 39,297 |
| 5 | Marion | $87,105 | $978 | 41,690 |
All Cities in Iowa
| City | Population | Income | Rent | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,464 | $63,966 | $1,054 | $183,700 |
| Cedar Rapids | 136,859 | $67,859 | $925 | $177,100 |
| Davenport | 101,083 | $64,497 | $930 | $162,900 |
| Sioux City | 85,651 | $65,473 | $936 | $162,600 |
| Iowa City | 75,264 | $57,533 | $1,094 | $273,600 |
| Ankeny | 70,542 | $106,603 | $1,279 | $311,300 |
| West Des Moines | 69,893 | $84,925 | $1,194 | $286,300 |
| Waterloo | 66,947 | $56,344 | $896 | $150,200 |
| Ames | 66,112 | $60,102 | $1,040 | $263,800 |
| Council Bluffs | 62,564 | $64,092 | $980 | $164,300 |
| Dubuque | 59,271 | $64,985 | $943 | $193,100 |
| Urbandale | 46,026 | $113,086 | $1,176 | $318,800 |
| Marion | 41,690 | $87,105 | $978 | $230,800 |
| Cedar Falls | 40,662 | $74,165 | $1,177 | $252,500 |
| Bettendorf | 39,297 | $102,917 | $1,148 | $295,600 |
| Marshalltown | 27,491 | $68,854 | $864 | $117,100 |
| Mason City | 27,135 | $62,369 | $874 | $130,000 |
| Waukee | 26,974 | $106,728 | $1,290 | $328,200 |
| Ottumwa | 25,352 | $56,994 | $956 | $92,400 |
Data Sources
All data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. State averages calculated from cities with population over 25,000.