Cost of Living in Red Oak, IA
Population 5,542 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Red Oak 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.
Red Oak is about 45 miles east of Omaha, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 60% lower than Omaha's $230,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Red Oak
The median home value in Red Oak is $91,600 — 70% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $768/month, 42% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,996/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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, Red Oak has a cost of living index of 41 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 59% less expensive.
Red Oak 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Red Oak, IA?
Red Oak has a cost index of 41 (100 = national average). It is 59% below the national average.
What is average rent in Red Oak, IA?
The median gross rent in Red Oak is $768 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Red Oak?
The median home value in Red Oak is $91,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Red Oak?
The median household income in Red Oak is $52,996 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Red Oak, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Red Oak is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Red Oak, IA affordable?
Yes, Red Oak is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 41 — about 59% below the US national average of 100.
Red Oak at a Glance
- Population
- 5,542
- Median Income
- $52,996
- Home Value
- $91,600
- Median Rent
- $768/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.9%
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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