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Cost of Living in Buchanan County, IA

Population 20,694 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$848
Median home value$176,000
Median household income$78,236

The median rent in Buchanan County, IA is $848/month, 13% lower than the Iowa median and 40% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $176,000, 47% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $78,236 a year, 4% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 13.0%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $33,920/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 2.2×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $890/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Buchanan County vs. Iowa vs. U.S.

Buchanan CountyIowaU.S.
Median rent$848$972$1,413
Median home value$176,000$208,000$332,700
Median household income$78,236$75,059$80,734
Homeownership rate82.1%71.7%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher22.4%31.4%35.7%
Poverty rate8.6%11.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.8%3.6%5.2%
Work from home8.4%11.3%15.1%
Median age40.338.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Buchanan County, IA?

The median gross rent in Buchanan County, IA is $848 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Buchanan County, IA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $33,920 a year in gross income.

Is Buchanan County, IA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 40% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 2.2 times the median household income.

Other counties in Iowa

Polk County, IARent $1,149 · Income $83,576Linn County, IARent $945 · Income $77,649Scott County, IARent $1,005 · Income $78,277Johnson County, IARent $1,122 · Income $74,935Black Hawk County, IARent $989 · Income $66,417Dallas County, IARent $1,311 · Income $102,379

Counties with a similar cost of living

Douglas County, ILRent $848 · Income $77,320Sibley County, MNRent $855 · Income $77,634Henry County, OHRent $849 · Income $80,099Franklin County, INRent $870 · Income $78,074Pennington County, MNRent $862 · Income $77,325Auglaize County, OHRent $868 · Income $78,660

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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