Iowa is a great place to live because of the cheap cost of living and the abundance of employment possibilities and cultural activities.
It also has a robust economy and top-notch educational facilities. Nonetheless, there are always going to be certain parts of every state where living expenses are greater than average.
For today’s post, I’ll be discussing some of the most expensive cities in Iowa.
1. Iowa City
With a size of 75,849, Iowa City is the second-largest city in the state and the most expensive city in Iowa. Compared to other cities, the overall cost of living (including rent, groceries, child care, public transit, medical care, taxes, and more) is much higher here.
As of 2022, the typical household income in Iowa City is $48,148, and the median house price is $223,900, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the United States and the most expensive in Iowa. The Ratio of Monthly Rent to Monthly Income is 49.3x.
2. Ames
Ames is the county seat of Story County, Iowa, and home to 66,361 people. It is the second most expensive city in Iowa. The overall cost of living is higher than in other cities, including the cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other essentials.
Ames, Iowa has the highest cost of living in the state, and the highest cost of living in the United States, with a median income of $50,783 and a typical house value of $213,500 in 2022.
3. West Des Moines
West Des Moines is a city in Iowa that is home to 66,724 people in Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties. It is the third most expensive city in Iowa. The overall cost of living is higher than in other cities, including the cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other essentials.
West Des Moines has the highest cost of living in the state, and the highest cost of living in the United States, with a median income of $74,159 and a median house value of $228,300 in 2022, respectively.
These are the best banks in Iowa.
4. Spirit Lake
There are 5,130 people living in Spirit Lake, a city in Dickinson County, Iowa. The overall cost of living is greater than in other cities. This includes everything from rent and groceries to transportation and medical care to taxes. Spirit Lake, Iowa has an expensive cost of living in 2022, with a typical income of $52,664 and a median house value of $163,600.
5. Coralville($223,900)
Coralville, Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the nicest locations to live in the state, but its 21,630 residents pay more for accommodation, groceries, child care, travel, health care, insurance, and other essentials than those in other cities in Iowa. Coralville, Iowa has a high cost of living compared to the rest of the state, with a median income of $68,230 and a typical house value of $240,700 in 2022.
6. Cedar Falls($223,900)
The city of Cedar Falls has a total of 40,750 people, which results in greater costs for housing, food, child care, transportation, medical care, taxes, and other essentials.
The cost of living in Cedar Falls, Iowa is higher than the rest of the state, despite the fact that the city has a median income of $64,809 and a typical house value of $204,300 for the year 2022. The overall cost of living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is 7.8 percentage points lower than the cost of living in Iowa City, Iowa.
Check out these incredible golf resorts in Iowa.
7. Vinton
Vinton, which has a population of 5,075, has greater costs for accommodation, food, child care, travel, medical care, taxes, and other needs than the average city in Iowa. Cedar Falls, Iowa has a high cost of living compared to other cities in Iowa, whereas Vinton has a median income of $44,053 and a typical house value of $130,100 for the year 2022.
8. Grinnell
Grinnell has 9,069 residents, which results in higher costs for housing, food, child care, transportation, medical care, taxes, and other necessities. Despite the fact that most inhabitants own their apartments and the town has a scattered city feel, the majority of residents live in Grinnell.
Grinnell, Iowa has a high cost of living while having a median income of $50,668 and a typical property value of $150,700 for the year 2022.
9. Anamosa
With a population of 5,484, Anamosa has greater costs for rent, food, child care, commuting, insurance, and other essentials, despite its suburban atmosphere and high homeownership rate. In 2022, residents of Anamosa may expect a typical income of $42,122 and a median house value of $124,100.
If you’re looking to start a family, Anamosa is a terrific area to do it. There aren’t a lot of opportunities available, giving the impression of a smaller institution. There isn’t much employment in the area, so getting to and from them takes forever.
10. Pleasant Hill
With a population of 9,959, Pleasant Hill has higher than average costs for housing, food, child care, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and more. It is the tenth most expensive city in Iowa. For 2022, the typical household income in Pleasant Hill is $74,612, while the median home value is $215,200.
Do some study on the precise cost of living in the surrounding areas of these cities before you make the decision to migrate to determine which of these places would be the best fit for you.