Cost of Living in Iowa, LA

Population 3,246 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Iowa is a smaller Louisiana community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $72,868 and housing costs ($243,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 60 miles west of Lafayette, Iowa is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Lafayette's $251,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 80
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in Iowa

The median home value in Iowa is $243,200 — 20% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,070/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,868/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Louisiana's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. Overall, Iowa has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$243,200
20% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$241,603
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$816
2 BR
$988
3 BR
$1,280
4 BR
$1,513
Owner-occupied 76.6%
Renter-occupied 23.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,070
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,684/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.8%
Carpooled
26.2%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
1.8%
Work from home
4.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 9.5%
State rate 4.5%
Avg local rate 5.1%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$72,868
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,221
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
6% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.0%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.4
Male median age 35.3
Female median age 40.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
38.1%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
249
PM2.5 days
116
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Iowa, LA?

Iowa has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Iowa, LA?

The median gross rent in Iowa is $1,070 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Iowa?

The median home value in Iowa is $243,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Iowa?

The median household income in Iowa is $72,868 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Iowa, LA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Iowa is 9.5%. The Louisiana state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Iowa, LA affordable?

Yes, Iowa is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

Iowa at a Glance

Population
3,246
Median Income
$72,868
Home Value
$243,200
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Sales Tax
9.5%
View all cities in Louisiana →
🗺️ County data for Louisiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs