What is the cost of living in Fort Dodge, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Fort Dodge has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Fort Dodge has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Fort Dodge ranks as #11 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Fort Dodge ranks as the #74 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Fort Dodge, check out:
Fort Dodge Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Fort Dodge. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Fort Dodge is 96.
The Groceries index in Fort Dodge is 94.
The Health index in Fort Dodge is 61.
The Housing index in Fort Dodge is 97.
The Transportation index in Fort Dodge is 91.
The Utilities index in Fort Dodge is 93.
| Living Expense | Fort Dodge | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 61 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 91 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 94 | 100 |
Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge is $129,004.
The Median Rent in Fort Dodge is $785.
The Median Income in Fort Dodge is $60,649.
The Home Value To Income in Fort Dodge is 2.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Fort Dodge is 0.16x.
| Statistic | Fort Dodge | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $129,004 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $785 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $60,649 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 2.1x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.16x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
Fort Dodge, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Fort Dodge Services costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Fort Dodge | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.42 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $8.29 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $20.0 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.39 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $40.5 | $45.56 |
Detailed Fort Dodge Groceries costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Fort Dodge | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.53 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.36 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.72 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.02 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $12.12 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.65 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.81 | $3.7 |
Detailed Fort Dodge Health costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Fort Dodge | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $159.11 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $176.92 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $107.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Fort Dodge Transportation costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Fort Dodge | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.38 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $57.22 | $59.92 |
Detailed Fort Dodge Utilities costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Fort Dodge | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $182.6 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.02 | $192.25 |
Fort Dodge SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Fort Dodge
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Fort Dodge. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Ames, IA has a cost of living index of 101, 1.2x Fort Dodge.
Boone, IA has a cost of living index of 88, 1.0x Fort Dodge.
Carroll, IA has a cost of living index of 90, 1.1x Fort Dodge.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Fort Dodge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 67,669 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Boone, IA | 12,424 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Carroll, IA | 10,208 | 90 | 1.1x |
| Perry, IA | 7,985 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Nevada, IA | 6,983 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Algona, IA | 5,377 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Iowa Falls, IA | 5,038 | 84 | 1.0x |
