Cost of Living in Cherokee, IA
Population 5,157 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Cherokee sits on the smaller end of the Iowa city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 27% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Cherokee lies roughly 80 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Sioux Falls — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Sioux Falls' $271,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Cherokee
The median home value in Cherokee is $119,400 — 61% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $707/month, 46% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,693/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 36.2°F. Overall, Cherokee has a cost of living index of 45 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 55% less expensive.
Cherokee has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 26 | 30 | 44 | 59 | 71 | 81 | 85 | 82 | 76 | 61 | 45 | 31 |
| Low °F | 8 | 13 | 25 | 36 | 48 | 59 | 62 | 59 | 50 | 37 | 25 | 14 |
| Precip" | 0.25 | 0.43 | 1.44 | 2.82 | 3.83 | 4.01 | 3.84 | 3.29 | 3.21 | 2.22 | 1.07 | 0.42 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Cherokee, IA?
Cherokee has a cost index of 45 (100 = national average). It is 55% below the national average.
What is average rent in Cherokee, IA?
The median gross rent in Cherokee is $707 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Cherokee?
The median home value in Cherokee is $119,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Cherokee?
The median household income in Cherokee is $48,693 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Cherokee, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cherokee is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Cherokee, IA affordable?
Yes, Cherokee is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 45 — about 55% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Cherokee?
Cherokee has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 36.2°F. Annual precipitation is 26.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Cherokee at a Glance
- Population
- 5,157
- Median Income
- $48,693
- Home Value
- $119,400
- Median Rent
- $707/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.9%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs