Cost of Living in Iowa: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2025
What is the cost of living in Iowa? doxo breaks down key insights about Iowa’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Iowa pays $1,622 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Internet, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Iowa’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Iowa ranks as the 42nd most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Iowa is ranked as the 42nd most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills.
At $19,464 per year, Iowa’s household expenses, on average, are 21% lower than the US median of $24,695.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Iowa households spend 26% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national median and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national median. The COBI for Iowa is 79.
- Median Bill Cost per Household: $1,622 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 79
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #42
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 26%
- Compared to the National Median: 21% lower
Iowa Household Expenses are 21% Lower Than the National Median
The average Iowa household pays $1,622 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the median monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Iowa is $73, compared to the national median of $74, making it the same as the national median.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Iowa residents. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,231, compared to the national median of $1,775, making it 31% less expensive.
Median Iowa Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Median Iowa Monthly Bill | National Median Monthly Bill | Iowa Percent +/- National Median ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,231 | $1,775 | 30% lower |
| Rent | $958 | $1,453 | 34% lower |
| Auto Loan | $449 | $470 | 4% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $98 | $105 | 7% lower |
| Health Insurance | $68 | $72 | 6% lower |
| Mobile Phone | $100 | $96 | 4% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $100 | $121 | 17% lower |
| Life Insurance | $55 | $60 | 18% lower |
| Alarm & Security | $73 | $74 | 1% lower |
| Total | $1,622 | $2,065 | 21% lower |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Pleasant Valley has the highest cost of living in Iowa for household bills
Residents of Pleasant Valley pay the highest household bills in the state of Iowa, at a median of $2,261 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Pleasant Valley is 114, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 14% higher than the national median.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Pleasant Valley make up 27% of the median annual household income of $105,763.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
5 Most Expensive Iowa Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Pleasant Valley | $105,763 | $2,361 | 114 | 14% higher | 27% |
| 2 | Booneville | $79,479 | $2,356 | 114 | 14% higher | 36% |
| 3 | Polk City | $161,627 | $2,322 | 112 | 12% higher | 17% |
| 4 | Waukee | $107,864 | $2,290 | 111 | 11% higher | 25% |
| 5 | Bondurant | $126,915 | $2,216 | 107 | 7% higher | 21% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Kesley has the lowest cost of living in Iowa for household bills
Kesley is the most affordable place in Iowa, with residents paying $838 on average for household bills, accounting for 16% of annual income of $63,750. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Kesley is 41, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 59% below the national median.
Varina is the second most affordable city in Iowa, with residents paying $840 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 5 least expensive cities in Iowa are Jolley ($812), Chapin ($813) and Dougherty ($821).
5 Most Affordable Iowa Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Kesley | $63,750 | $838 | 41 | 59% lower | 16% |
| 2 | Varina | $40,000 | $840 | 41 | 59% lower | 25% |
| 3 | Jolley | $25,000 | $812 | 41 | 59% lower | 40% |
| 4 | Chapin | $70,377 | $851 | 41 | 59% lower | 15% |
| 5 | Dougherty | $51,250 | $915 | 44 | 56% lower | 22% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Iowa with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.