Iowa Cost of Living & Rents (2026)
Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 14 benchmark metropolitan areas in Iowa.
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Metropolitan Areas in Iowa
| Metro Area | COL Index | HUD 1BR Rent | HUD 2BR Rent | Living Wage | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 103.9 | $1,145/mo | $1,360/mo | $22.98/hr | View |
| Ames, IA | 99.8 | $944/mo | $1,061/mo | $22.06/hr | View |
| Bremer County, IA | 97.7 | $782/mo | $1,023/mo | $21.60/hr | View |
| Iowa City, IA | 97.6 | $1,002/mo | $1,180/mo | $21.58/hr | View |
| Boone County, IA | 94.3 | $768/mo | $967/mo | $20.85/hr | View |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 94.3 | $852/mo | $1,056/mo | $20.85/hr | View |
| Benton County, IA | 93.6 | $751/mo | $982/mo | $20.71/hr | View |
| Dubuque, IA | 93.3 | $891/mo | $1,131/mo | $20.64/hr | View |
| Jasper County, IA | 93.3 | $787/mo | $989/mo | $20.64/hr | View |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 92.4 | $806/mo | $1,054/mo | $20.44/hr | View |
| Washington County, IA | 92.2 | $766/mo | $1,002/mo | $20.39/hr | View |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 90.1 | $838/mo | $1,096/mo | $19.94/hr | View |
| Jones County, IA | 89.6 | $734/mo | $927/mo | $19.81/hr | View |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 88.5 | $965/mo | $1,194/mo | $19.56/hr | View |
Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for Iowa. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, and metropolitan living costs. Official 2026 economic data for Iowa compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 94.3 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $859 a month.
The average living wage for a single adult in Iowa is approximately $20.86/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $19.07/hour to cover basic necessities.