Algona, IA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Algona, IA Summary

Cost of living in Algona research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Algona is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Iowa, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Algona is 91, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Algona is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Algona ranks as the #45 cheapest in Iowa out of 85.

  • Algona ranks as the #1,347 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Algona is $184,516.

  • The median income in Algona is $52,542.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
91
Algona's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Algona, IA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Algona has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Iowa, Algona has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Iowa's index of 90.

The standard of living in Algona ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Algona ranks as the #40 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.

For more reading on life in Algona, check out:

45 out of 85
In Iowa
1,347 out of 6,489
In America

Algona Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Algona. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Algona is 99.

  • The Groceries index in Algona is 95.

  • The Health index in Algona is 99.

  • The Housing index in Algona is 74.

  • The Transportation index in Algona is 95.

  • The Utilities index in Algona is 106.

Living Expense Algona Iowa National Average
Overall 91 90 100
Services 99 96 100
Groceries 95 97 100
Health 99 99 100
Housing 74 75 100
Transportation 95 99 100
Utilities 106 94 100
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Algona Cost of Living Vs. IA

Algona, IA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Iowa, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Algona is $184,516.

  • The Median Rent in Algona is $887.

  • The Median Income in Algona is $52,542.

  • The Home Value To Income in Algona is 3.5x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Algona is 0.2x.

Statistic Algona Iowa United States
Median Home Value $184,516 $230,258 $303,400
Median Rent $887 $949 $1,348
Median Income $52,542 $73,147 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.5x 3.1x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.16x 0.21x
$184,516
Median Home Value
$887
Median Rent
$52,542
Median Income

Algona, IA Costs By Category

Detailed Algona Services Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Algona Iowa
Shampoo $1.24 $1.28
Movie $10.32 $12.13
Bowling $10.28 $18
Haircut $32.91 $24.26
Beauty Salon $35.27 $45.56

Detailed Algona Groceries Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Algona Iowa
Ground Beef $5.27 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.42 $1.57
Milk $4.56 $4.67
Potatoes $5.01 $4.93
Pizza $11.94 $12.09
Beer $9.82 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.74 $3.7

Detailed Algona Health Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Algona Iowa
Optometrist $87.93 $125.68
Doctor $153.18 $135.78
Dentist $105.03 $113.29

Detailed Algona Transportation Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Algona Iowa
Gasoline $3.39 $3.46
Tire Balancing $54.83 $59.92

Detailed Algona Utilities Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Algona Iowa
All Electricity $209.45 $193.99
Phone $187.72 $192.25

Algona SnackAbility

8
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
5
Safety
8
Amenities
8
Education
7
Commute
10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Algona

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Algona. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Fort Dodge, IA has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Algona.

  • Spencer, IA has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Algona.

  • Fairmont, MN has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Algona.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Algona
Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 88 1.0x
Spencer, IA 11,393 88 1.0x
Fairmont, MN 10,348 89 1.0x
Clear Lake, IA 7,603 98 1.1x
Estherville, IA 5,865 82 0.9x

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