What is the cost of living in Iowa Falls, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Iowa Falls has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Iowa Falls has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Iowa Falls ranks as #11 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Iowa Falls ranks as the #74 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Iowa Falls, check out:
Iowa Falls Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Iowa Falls. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Iowa Falls is 97.
The Groceries index in Iowa Falls is 97.
The Health index in Iowa Falls is 60.
The Housing index in Iowa Falls is 96.
The Transportation index in Iowa Falls is 91.
The Utilities index in Iowa Falls is 94.
| Living Expense | Iowa Falls | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 60 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 91 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 94 | 100 |
Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Iowa Falls, 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 Iowa Falls is $130,588.
The Median Rent in Iowa Falls is $831.
The Median Income in Iowa Falls is $50,417.
The Home Value To Income in Iowa Falls is 2.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Iowa Falls is 0.2x.
| Statistic | Iowa Falls | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $130,588 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $831 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $50,417 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 2.6x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.2x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
Iowa Falls, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Iowa Falls Services costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Iowa Falls | 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 Iowa Falls Groceries costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Iowa Falls | 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 Iowa Falls Health costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Iowa Falls | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $159.11 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $176.92 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $107.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Iowa Falls Transportation costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Iowa Falls | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.38 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $57.22 | $59.92 |
Detailed Iowa Falls Utilities costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Iowa Falls | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $182.6 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.02 | $192.25 |
Iowa Falls SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Iowa Falls
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Iowa Falls. 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 Iowa Falls.
Waterloo, IA has a cost of living index of 89, 1.1x Iowa Falls.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost of living index of 101, 1.2x Iowa Falls.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Iowa Falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 67,669 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Waterloo, IA | 67,008 | 89 | 1.1x |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 40,888 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Marshalltown, IA | 27,626 | 83 | 1.0x |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 24,827 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Boone, IA | 12,424 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Waverly, IA | 10,494 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Clear Lake, IA | 7,607 | 94 | 1.1x |
| Nevada, IA | 6,983 | 89 | 1.1x |
