What is the cost of living in Carroll, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Carroll has an overall cost of living index of 90, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Carroll has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Carroll ranks as #39 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Carroll ranks as the #46 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Carroll, check out:
Carroll Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Carroll. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Carroll is 98.
The Groceries index in Carroll is 97.
The Health index in Carroll is 75.
The Housing index in Carroll is 97.
The Transportation index in Carroll is 91.
The Utilities index in Carroll is 93.
| Living Expense | Carroll | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 90 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 75 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 91 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 94 | 100 |
Carroll Cost Of Living Compared To Iowa Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Carroll Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Carroll, 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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Carroll is $200,080.
The Median Rent in Carroll is $722.
The Median Income in Carroll is $69,706.
The Home Value To Income in Carroll is 2.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Carroll is 0.12x.
Carroll, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Carroll Services costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Carroll Groceries costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Carroll Health costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Carroll Transportation costs vs. Iowa
Carroll SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Carroll
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Carroll. 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 84, 0.9x Carroll.
Storm Lake, IA has a cost of living index of 91, 1.0x Carroll.
Denison, IA has a cost of living index of 87, 1.0x Carroll.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Carroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Dodge, IA | 24,827 | 84 | 0.9x |
| Storm Lake, IA | 11,428 | 91 | 1.0x |
| Denison, IA | 8,260 | 87 | 1.0x |
| Perry, IA | 7,985 | 84 | 0.9x |
| Atlantic, IA | 6,763 | 86 | 1.0x |
