Cost of Living in Iowa (IA)
Compare costs across 3 Iowa cities. From home services to salaries, see how IA stacks up against the national average.
3
Cities
87
Avg Cost Index
$52K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Iowa's average cost index is 87, which is below the national baseline of 100. Davenport is the most affordable tracked city in IA at index 84, while Des Moines is the most expensive at index 89.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 5 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Iowa Highlights: Most affordable city: Davenport (index 84). Most expensive: Des Moines (index 89). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 5 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
87/100
Iowa is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Davenport
Davenport has a cost index of 84.
Most expensive
Des Moines
Des Moines has a cost index of 89.
Income average
$52K
Average median household income across 3 tracked IA cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Iowa
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 214K | 89 | $52K | mid |
| Cedar Rapids | 138K | 88 | $57K | small |
| Davenport | 102K | 84 | $46K | mid |
Iowa State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Iowa.
State Income Tax
3.8%
flat system
Combined Sales Tax
6.94%
6% state + 0.94% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
1.52%
~$4,560/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Iowa uses a flat income tax at 3.8%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Davenport if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Iowa.
- Compare Des Moines against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.