Cost of Living in Solon, IA

Population 3,092 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

96
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 Solon a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $305,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Solon sits roughly 14 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids. Median home values run roughly 72% higher than Cedar Rapids' $177,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Solon

The median home value in Solon is $305,300 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,166/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $111,597/year is 50% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.3%, 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, Solon has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$305,300
0% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$340,667
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,166/mo
11% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
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 80.4%
Renter-occupied 19.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,166
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,780/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
20.8 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
6.5%
Walked
2.7%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
10.8%

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
$111,597
50% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,369
Unemployment Rate
1.3%
72% below avg
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor Force Participation
72.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.9%
Graduate degree 13.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 37
Female median age 40.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
39.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,529
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Solon, IA?

Solon has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Solon, IA?

The median gross rent in Solon is $1,166 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Solon?

The median home value in Solon is $305,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Solon?

The median household income in Solon is $111,597 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Solon, IA?

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

Is Solon, IA affordable?

Solon is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

Solon at a Glance

Population
3,092
Median Income
$111,597
Home Value
$305,300
Median Rent
$1,166/mo
Unemployment
1.3%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Iowa →
🗺️ County data for Iowa

Explore county-level cost of living data

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