Cost of Living in West Liberty, IA

Population 3,795 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

60
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in West Liberty stay well under national norms: a median home value of $170,000 against median household incomes of $66,132 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Iowa.

Geographically, West Liberty is about 35 miles west of Davenport, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Davenport's $163,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in West Liberty

The median home value in West Liberty is $169,500 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $871/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,132/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 60.9°F and lows of 41.0°F. Overall, West Liberty has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$169,500
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$159,479
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$871/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
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 72.3%
Renter-occupied 27.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$871
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,485/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
24.6%
Walked
3.8%
Work from home
1.6%

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
$66,132
11% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,015
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
4% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor Force Participation
76.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.5%
Graduate degree 6.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.6
Male median age 34.3
Female median age 34.7

🌤 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 49 — Good
51.5%
Good air days/yr
207
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,372
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in West Liberty, IA?

West Liberty has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in West Liberty, IA?

The median gross rent in West Liberty is $871 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in West Liberty?

The median home value in West Liberty is $169,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in West Liberty?

The median household income in West Liberty is $66,132 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in West Liberty, IA?

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

Is West Liberty, IA affordable?

Yes, West Liberty is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in West Liberty?

West Liberty 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.

West Liberty at a Glance

Population
3,795
Median Income
$66,132
Home Value
$169,500
Median Rent
$871/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Avg High Temp
60.9°F
Sales Tax
6.9%
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