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.
Is Iowa Affordable?
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.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Iowa is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Davenport has a cost index of 84.
Des Moines has a cost index of 89.
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 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.
Cost by Category Across Iowa
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within Iowa
Explore Other States
Popular Iowa cost & affordability searches
- → Cost of living in Des Moines, IA
- → Cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA
- → Cost of living in Davenport, IA
- → Average rent in Des Moines, IA
- → Average rent in Cedar Rapids, IA
- → Average rent in Davenport, IA
- → Salary needed to live in Des Moines
- → Salary needed to live in Cedar Rapids
- → Salary needed to live in Davenport
Frequently Asked Questions: Iowa Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Iowa?
Iowa's average cost-of-living index is 87, which is 13% below the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 3 tracked cities, costs span from index 84 in Davenport to 89 in Des Moines.
What is the cheapest city to live in Iowa?
Davenport is the most affordable tracked city in Iowa, with a cost index of 84 — roughly 16% below the national average.
What is the most expensive city in Iowa?
Des Moines is the most expensive tracked city in Iowa, at a cost index of 89. The gap between Davenport and Des Moines is 5 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in Iowa?
The average median household income across 3 tracked Iowa cities is about $51,742 per year.
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa levies a flat state income tax at 3.8%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in Iowa?
The combined sales tax in Iowa averages 6.94% — 6% at the state level plus 0.94% in average local tax.