Cost of Living in Iowa: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
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 $2,290 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, 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 34th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Iowa is ranked as the 34th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $23,292 per year, Iowa’s household expenses, on average, are 9% lower than the US average of $25,513.
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 32% 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 average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Iowa is 91.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $1,941 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 91
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #34
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 32%
- Compared to the National Average: 9% lower
Iowa Household Expenses are 9% lower Than the National Average
The average Iowa household pays $1,941 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 average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Iowa is $82, compared to the national average of $85, making it 4% lower than average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Iowa residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,216, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 14% less expensive.
Average Iowa Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Iowa Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Iowa Percent +/- National Average |
| Mortgage | $1,216 | $1,402 | 14% lower |
| Rent | $921 | $1,300 | 34% lower |
| Auto Loan | $500 | $496 | 1% higher |
| Utilities | $334 | $362 | 8% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $203 | $209 | 3% lower |
| Health Insurance | $168 | $114 | 38% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $117 | $121 | 3% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $120 | $122 | 2% lower |
| Life Insurance | $81 | $87 | 7% lower |
| Alarm & Security | $82 | $85 | 4% lower |
| Total | $1,941 | $2,126 | 9% lower |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
North Liberty has the highest cost of living in Iowa for household bills
Residents of North Liberty pay the highest household bills in the state of Iowa, at an average of $2,603 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for North Liberty is 122, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 22% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in North Liberty makeup 30% of the average annual household income of $102,809.
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.
10 Most Expensive Iowa Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | North Liberty | $102,809 | $2,603 | 122 | 22% higher | 30% |
| 2 | Iowa City | $58,507 | $2,599 | 122 | 22% higher | 53% |
| 3 | Johnson | $97,926 | $2,538 | 119 | 19% higher | 31% |
| 4 | Waukee | $107,288 | $2,535 | 119 | 19% higher | 28% |
| 5 | Ankeny | $101,915 | $2,458 | 116 | 16% higher | 29% |
| 6 | Urbandale | $110,195 | $2,425 | 114 | 14% higher | 26% |
| 7 | Coralville | $67,691 | $2,384 | 112 | 12% higher | 42% |
| 8 | Clive | $124,908 | $2,374 | 112 | 12% higher | 23% |
| 9 | Altoona | $91,207 | $2,291 | 108 | 8% higher | 30% |
| 10 | Grimes | $100,971 | $2,288 | 108 | 8% higher | 27% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Storm Lake has the lowest cost of living in Iowa for household bills
Out of 49 cities, Storm Lake is the most affordable place in Iowa, with residents paying $1,614 on average for household bills, accounting for 34% of annual income of $56,608. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Storm Lake is 76, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 24% below the national average.
Fort Dodge is the second most affordable city in Iowa, with residents paying $1,626 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Iowa are Oskaloosa ($1,658), Ottumwa ($1,684) and Davenport ($1,688).
10 Most Affordable Iowa Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 40 | Marshalltown | $68,322 | $1,781 | 84 | 16% lower | 31% |
| 41 | Knoxville | $65,341 | $1,778 | 84 | 16% lower | 33% |
| 42 | Burlington | $53,827 | $1,732 | 81 | 19% lower | 39% |
| 43 | Fort Madison | $56,533 | $1,712 | 81 | 19% lower | 36% |
| 45 | Mount Pleasant | $62,790 | $1,689 | 79 | 21% lower | 32% |
| 45 | Davenport | $61,073 | $1,688 | 79 | 21% lower | 33% |
| 46 | Ottumwa | $55,801 | $1,684 | 79 | 21% lower | 36% |
| 47 | Oskaloosa | $63,961 | $1,658 | 78 | 22% lower | 31% |
| 48 | Fort Dodge | $64,013 | $1,626 | 76 | 24% lower | 30% |
| 49 | Storm Lake | $56,608 | $1,614 | 76 | 24% lower | 34% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages 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.