Cost of Living in Grimes, IA
Population 15,810 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Grimes 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. At 6.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Grimes sits roughly 12 miles northwest of Des Moines — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 53% higher than Des Moines' $184,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Grimes
The median home value in Grimes is $281,000 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,156/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $104,497/year is 40% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.3%, above 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, Grimes has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.
🏠 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Grimes, IA?
Grimes has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.
What is average rent in Grimes, IA?
The median gross rent in Grimes is $1,156 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Grimes?
The median home value in Grimes is $281,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Grimes?
The median household income in Grimes is $104,497 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Grimes, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Grimes is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Grimes, IA affordable?
Grimes is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).
Grimes at a Glance
- Population
- 15,810
- Median Income
- $104,497
- Home Value
- $281,000
- Median Rent
- $1,156/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.3%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
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