What is the cost of living in Marshalltown, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Marshalltown has an overall cost of living index of 83, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Marshalltown has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Marshalltown ranks as #6 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Marshalltown ranks as the #79 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Marshalltown, check out:
Marshalltown Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Marshalltown. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Marshalltown is 96.
The Groceries index in Marshalltown is 96.
The Health index in Marshalltown is 61.
The Housing index in Marshalltown is 97.
The Transportation index in Marshalltown is 93.
The Utilities index in Marshalltown is 94.
| Living Expense | Marshalltown | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 83 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 61 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 94 | 100 |
Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Marshalltown, 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 Marshalltown is $173,581.
The Median Rent in Marshalltown is $891.
The Median Income in Marshalltown is $69,068.
The Home Value To Income in Marshalltown is 2.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Marshalltown is 0.15x.
| Statistic | Marshalltown | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $173,581 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $891 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $69,068 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 2.5x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.15x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
Marshalltown, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Marshalltown Services costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Marshalltown | 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 Marshalltown Groceries costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Marshalltown | 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 Marshalltown Health costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Marshalltown | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $159.11 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $176.92 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $107.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Marshalltown Transportation costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Marshalltown | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.38 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $57.22 | $59.92 |
Detailed Marshalltown Utilities costs vs. Iowa
| Item | Marshalltown | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $182.6 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.02 | $192.25 |
Marshalltown SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Marshalltown
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Marshalltown. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Des Moines, IA has a cost of living index of 90, 1.1x Marshalltown.
Ankeny, IA has a cost of living index of 106, 1.3x Marshalltown.
Ames, IA has a cost of living index of 101, 1.2x Marshalltown.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Marshalltown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 212,421 | 90 | 1.1x |
| Ankeny, IA | 72,615 | 106 | 1.3x |
| Ames, IA | 67,669 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 40,888 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Johnston, IA | 24,384 | 110 | 1.3x |
| Altoona, IA | 21,495 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Boone, IA | 12,424 | 88 | 1.1x |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 11,136 | 103 | 1.2x |
| Pella, IA | 10,720 | 100 | 1.2x |
| Nevada, IA | 6,983 | 89 | 1.1x |
