Cost of Living in Ankeny, IA

Population 70,542 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

100
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Ankeny's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $106,603 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail. An unemployment rate of 2.2% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Ankeny sits roughly 11 miles north of Des Moines — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 69% higher than Des Moines' $184,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 102
Rent 97

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ankeny

The median home value in Ankeny is $311,300 — 2% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,279/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,603/year is 43% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. Overall, Ankeny has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$311,300
2% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$335,711
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,279/mo
3% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,412/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$716
2 BR
$877
3 BR
$1,170
4 BR
$1,287
Owner-occupied 71.0%
Renter-occupied 29.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,279
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,893/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.3 min
17% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.3%
Carpooled
6.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
16.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 6.9%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.9%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$106,603
43% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,501
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
54% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Labor Force Participation
76.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.7%
Graduate degree 17.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2
Male median age 32.3
Female median age 33.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
46%
Good air days/yr
166
Max AQI recorded
281
PM2.5 days
81
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
16
Public schools
12,394
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ankeny, IA?

Ankeny has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Ankeny, IA?

The median gross rent in Ankeny is $1,279 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ankeny?

The median home value in Ankeny is $311,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ankeny?

The median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ankeny, IA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ankeny is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is Ankeny, IA affordable?

Ankeny is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).

Ankeny at a Glance

Population
70,542
Median Income
$106,603
Home Value
$311,300
Median Rent
$1,279/mo
Unemployment
2.2%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Iowa →
🗺️ County data for Iowa

Explore county-level cost of living data

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