Cost of Living in Mount Vernon, IA

Population 4,551 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Mount Vernon a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $257,000.

Geographically, Mount Vernon sits roughly 13 miles east of Cedar Rapids. Median home values run roughly 45% higher than Cedar Rapids' $177,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 84
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Vernon

The median home value in Mount Vernon is $256,900 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $802/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,356/year is 43% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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, Mount Vernon has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$256,900
16% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$151,705
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$802/mo
39% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.7x
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 87.6%
Renter-occupied 12.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$802
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,416/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
22.8 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.0%
Carpooled
4.8%
Walked
10.6%
Work from home
20.6%

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
$106,356
43% above avg
Per Capita Income
$31,406
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
12% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor Force Participation
61.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.5%
Graduate degree 20.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 23.7
Male median age 22
Female median age 24.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
35.6%
Good air days/yr
207
Max AQI recorded
279
PM2.5 days
86
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Vernon, IA?

Mount Vernon has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Vernon, IA?

The median gross rent in Mount Vernon is $802 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Vernon?

The median home value in Mount Vernon is $256,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Vernon?

The median household income in Mount Vernon is $106,356 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Vernon, IA?

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

Is Mount Vernon, IA affordable?

Yes, Mount Vernon is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

Mount Vernon at a Glance

Population
4,551
Median Income
$106,356
Home Value
$256,900
Median Rent
$802/mo
Unemployment
5.4%
Sales Tax
6.9%
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🗺️ County data for Iowa

Explore county-level cost of living data

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