What is the cost of living in Decorah, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Decorah has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Decorah has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Decorah ranks as #59 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Decorah ranks as the #26 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Decorah, check out:
Decorah Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Decorah. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Decorah is 101.
The Groceries index in Decorah is 97.
The Health index in Decorah is 92.
The Housing index in Decorah is 96.
The Transportation index in Decorah is 104.
The Utilities index in Decorah is 99.
| Living Expense | Decorah | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 98 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 92 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 94 | 100 |
Decorah 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 Decorah Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Decorah, 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 Decorah is $304,334.
The Median Rent in Decorah is $853.
The Median Income in Decorah is $64,366.
The Home Value To Income in Decorah is 4.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Decorah is 0.16x.
Decorah, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Decorah Services costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Decorah Groceries costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Decorah Health costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Decorah Transportation costs vs. Iowa
Decorah SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Decorah
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Decorah. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
La Crosse, WI has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Decorah.
Onalaska, WI has a cost of living index of 100, 1.0x Decorah.
Oelwein, IA has a cost of living index of 83, 0.8x Decorah.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Decorah |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WI | 51,356 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Onalaska, WI | 19,348 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Oelwein, IA | 5,834 | 83 | 0.8x |
| Prairie du Chien, WI | 5,491 | 87 | 0.9x |
