What is the cost of living in Oskaloosa, IA?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Oskaloosa has an overall cost of living index of 84, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Oskaloosa has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Oskaloosa ranks as #11 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Oskaloosa ranks as the #74 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Oskaloosa, check out:
Oskaloosa Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Oskaloosa. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Oskaloosa is 97.
The Groceries index in Oskaloosa is 95.
The Health index in Oskaloosa is 60.
The Housing index in Oskaloosa is 94.
The Transportation index in Oskaloosa is 93.
The Utilities index in Oskaloosa is 99.
| Living Expense | Oskaloosa | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 60 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 94 | 100 |
Oskaloosa 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 Oskaloosa Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Oskaloosa, 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 Oskaloosa is $186,482.
The Median Rent in Oskaloosa is $831.
The Median Income in Oskaloosa is $64,004.
The Home Value To Income in Oskaloosa is 2.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Oskaloosa is 0.16x.
Oskaloosa, IA Costs By Category
Detailed Oskaloosa Services costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oskaloosa Groceries costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oskaloosa Health costs vs. Iowa
Detailed Oskaloosa Transportation costs vs. Iowa
Oskaloosa SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Oskaloosa
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Oskaloosa. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Altoona, IA has a cost of living index of 99, 1.2x Oskaloosa.
Indianola, IA has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x Oskaloosa.
Newton, IA has a cost of living index of 90, 1.1x Oskaloosa.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Oskaloosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, IA | 21,495 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Indianola, IA | 16,044 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Newton, IA | 15,700 | 90 | 1.1x |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 11,136 | 103 | 1.2x |
| Pella, IA | 10,720 | 100 | 1.2x |
| Grinnell, IA | 9,505 | 92 | 1.1x |
| Fairfield, IA | 9,456 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Knoxville, IA | 7,473 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Washington, IA | 7,290 | 90 | 1.1x |
| Centerville, IA | 5,372 | 82 | 1.0x |
