Cost of Living in Windsor Heights, IA

Population 5,171 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

91
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 Windsor Heights a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $252,000. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 6 miles west of Des Moines, Windsor Heights falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 37% higher than Des Moines' $184,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 83
Rent 103

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

About the Cost of Living in Windsor Heights

The median home value in Windsor Heights is $251,800 — 17% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,355/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,083/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, 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, Windsor Heights has a cost of living index of 91 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$251,800
17% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$210,578
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,348/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5x
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 77.8%
Renter-occupied 22.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,355
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,969/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
17.5 min
35% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.0%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
19.1%

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
$89,083
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,815
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor Force Participation
64.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.5%
Graduate degree 12.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 42.4
Female median age 40.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
46%
Good air days/yr
166
Max AQI recorded
281
PM2.5 days
81
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Windsor Heights, IA?

Windsor Heights has a cost index of 91 (100 = national average). It is 9% below the national average.

What is average rent in Windsor Heights, IA?

The median gross rent in Windsor Heights is $1,355 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Windsor Heights?

The median home value in Windsor Heights is $251,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Windsor Heights?

The median household income in Windsor Heights is $89,083 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Windsor Heights, IA?

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

Is Windsor Heights, IA affordable?

Windsor Heights is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 91 (100 = US average).

Windsor Heights at a Glance

Population
5,171
Median Income
$89,083
Home Value
$251,800
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
6.9%
View all cities in Iowa →
🗺️ County data for Iowa

Explore county-level cost of living data

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