What is the cost of living in Clear Lake, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Clear Lake has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Clear Lake has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Clear Lake ranks as #53 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Clear Lake ranks as the #32 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Clear Lake, check out:
Clear Lake Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Clear Lake. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Clear Lake is 94.
The Groceries index in Clear Lake is 96.
The Health index in Clear Lake is 91.
The Housing index in Clear Lake is 96.
The Transportation index in Clear Lake is 93.
The Utilities index in Clear Lake is 95.
| Living Expense | Clear Lake | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 94 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 91 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 94 | 100 |
Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake is $322,830.
The Median Rent in Clear Lake is $808.
The Median Income in Clear Lake is $79,415.
The Home Value To Income in Clear Lake is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Clear Lake is 0.12x.
| Statistic | Clear Lake | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $322,830 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $808 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $79,415 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.1x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.12x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
Clear Lake, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Clear Lake Services costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Clear Lake | 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 Clear Lake Groceries costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Clear Lake | 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 Clear Lake Health costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Clear Lake | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $87.93 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $153.18 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $105.03 | $113.29 |
Detailed Clear Lake Transportation costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Clear Lake | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.39 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $54.83 | $59.92 |
Detailed Clear Lake Utilities costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Clear Lake | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $209.45 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.72 | $192.25 |
Clear Lake SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Clear Lake
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Clear Lake. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Austin, MN has a cost of living index of 93, 1.0x Clear Lake.
Albert Lea, MN has a cost of living index of 89, 0.9x Clear Lake.
Portland, IN has a cost of living index of 82, 0.9x Clear Lake.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Clear Lake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, MN | 26,358 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Albert Lea, MN | 18,330 | 89 | 0.9x |
| Portland, IN | 6,416 | 82 | 0.9x |
| Algona, IA | 5,377 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Iowa Falls, IA | 5,038 | 84 | 0.9x |
