Cost of Living in Tiffin, IA

Population 5,271 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

104
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Tiffin 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. An unemployment rate of 0.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Tiffin sits roughly 20 miles south of Cedar Rapids. Median home values run roughly 78% higher than Cedar Rapids' $177,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 104
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Tiffin

The median home value in Tiffin is $315,800 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,367/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,034/year is 42% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.6%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 60.9°F and lows of 41.0°F. Overall, Tiffin has a cost of living index of 104 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$315,800
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$749,337
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,367/mo
4% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,022/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
Favors buying
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 80.8%
Renter-occupied 19.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,367
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,981/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
22.2 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.6%
Carpooled
2.1%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
17.1%

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
$106,034
42% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,159
Unemployment Rate
0.6%
88% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
74.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.5%
Graduate degree 19.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33
Male median age 30.7
Female median age 34.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.9°F
Avg Low
41.0°F
Annual Precip
35.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313650637383868478644936
Low °F 151930405262666354423020
Precip" 1.041.212.213.764.485.293.913.943.242.982.171.45

💨 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tiffin, IA?

Tiffin has a cost index of 104 (100 = national average). It is 4% above the national average.

What is average rent in Tiffin, IA?

The median gross rent in Tiffin is $1,367 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tiffin?

The median home value in Tiffin is $315,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tiffin?

The median household income in Tiffin is $106,034 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tiffin, IA?

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

Is Tiffin, IA affordable?

Tiffin is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 104 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Tiffin?

Tiffin has average high temperatures of 60.9°F and average lows of 41.0°F. Annual precipitation is 35.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Tiffin at a Glance

Population
5,271
Median Income
$106,034
Home Value
$315,800
Median Rent
$1,367/mo
Unemployment
0.6%
Avg High Temp
60.9°F
Sales Tax
6.9%
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