Cost of Living in Denison, IA
Population 8,247 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Buyers in Denison can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $138,000 against $63,850 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. A poverty rate near 20% 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.
Located 65 miles northeast of Omaha, Denison is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Omaha's $230,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Denison
The median home value in Denison is $137,600 — 55% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $770/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,850/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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%. Overall, Denison has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.
Denison 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Denison, IA?
Denison has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.
What is average rent in Denison, IA?
The median gross rent in Denison is $770 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Denison?
The median home value in Denison is $137,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Denison?
The median household income in Denison is $63,850 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Denison, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Denison is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Denison, IA affordable?
Yes, Denison is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.
Denison at a Glance
- Population
- 8,247
- Median Income
- $63,850
- Home Value
- $137,600
- Median Rent
- $770/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.9%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
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