What is the cost of living in Oelwein, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Oelwein has an overall cost of living index of 83, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Oelwein has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Oelwein ranks as #6 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Oelwein ranks as the #79 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Oelwein, check out:
Oelwein Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Oelwein. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Oelwein is 96.
The Groceries index in Oelwein is 99.
The Health index in Oelwein is 51.
The Housing index in Oelwein is 97.
The Transportation index in Oelwein is 96.
The Utilities index in Oelwein is 94.
| Living Expense | Oelwein | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 83 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 51 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 94 | 100 |
Oelwein 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 Oelwein Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Oelwein, 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 Oelwein is $109,878.
The Median Rent in Oelwein is $847.
The Median Income in Oelwein is $46,653.
The Home Value To Income in Oelwein is 2.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Oelwein is 0.22x.
Oelwein, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Oelwein Services costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oelwein Groceries costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oelwein Health costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oelwein Transportation costs vs. Iowa
Oelwein SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Oelwein
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Oelwein. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Marion, IA has a cost of living index of 94, 1.1x Oelwein.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost of living index of 101, 1.2x Oelwein.
Central, LA has a cost of living index of 105, 1.3x Oelwein.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Oelwein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion, IA | 41,896 | 94 | 1.1x |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 40,888 | 101 | 1.2x |
| Central, LA | 29,783 | 105 | 1.3x |
| La Porte, IN | 22,449 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Waverly, IA | 10,494 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Decorah, IA | 7,535 | 98 | 1.2x |
| Hiawatha, IA | 7,206 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Independence, IA | 6,164 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Manchester, IA | 5,191 | 85 | 1.0x |
