Cost of Living in Polk City, IA
Population 5,833 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Polk City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $385,000. An unemployment rate of 2.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Polk City sits roughly 15 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 110% higher than Des Moines' $184,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Polk City
The median home value in Polk City is $385,000 — 26% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $746/month, 43% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $163,000/year is 119% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, 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, Polk City has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.
Polk City 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Polk City, IA?
Polk City has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.
What is average rent in Polk City, IA?
The median gross rent in Polk City is $746 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Polk City?
The median home value in Polk City is $385,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Polk City?
The median household income in Polk City is $163,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Polk City, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Polk City is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Polk City, IA affordable?
Polk City is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).
Polk City at a Glance
- Population
- 5,833
- Median Income
- $163,000
- Home Value
- $385,000
- Median Rent
- $746/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.0%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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