Iowa

Iowa is about 14% cheaper than the national average. Across the 8 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 87, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in Iowa averages $1,226 a month across the 8 cities we track as of September 2026, 37% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 6th lowest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 8 cities we track in Iowa, Cedar Rapids has the lowest cost of living index at 80. The lowest typical rent is in Davenport, at $1,003 a month.

Davenport has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Iowa, at 88. The highest typical rent is in Iowa City, at $1,757 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $3.82 a gallon in Iowa as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 4% below the national average of $3.98. That is the 17th cheapest of 51 states.

Rent in Iowa rose an average of 5.5% over the past year across the 8 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in Iowa averages 17.1 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $154.

Full coverage car insurance in Iowa averages $1,420 a year, or about $118 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 5th lowest of 51 states.