Counties › Iowa

Cost of Living in Mills County, IA

Population 14,568 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$959
Median home value$237,800
Median household income$90,753

The median rent in Mills County, IA is $959/month, about the same as the Iowa median and 32% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $237,800, 29% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $90,753 a year, 21% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 12.7%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $38,360/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 2.6×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,202/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Mills County vs. Iowa vs. U.S.

Mills CountyIowaU.S.
Median rent$959$972$1,413
Median home value$237,800$208,000$332,700
Median household income$90,753$75,059$80,734
Homeownership rate83.5%71.7%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher31.0%31.4%35.7%
Poverty rate8.2%11.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.0%3.6%5.2%
Work from home10.1%11.3%15.1%
Median age42.138.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Mills County, IA?

The median gross rent in Mills County, IA is $959 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

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

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $38,360 a year in gross income.

Is Mills County, IA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 32% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 2.6 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

Lincoln County, WYRent $960 · Income $89,330Lincoln County, MORent $961 · Income $89,278Saunders County, NERent $960 · Income $94,066Washington County, NERent $965 · Income $94,396Cass County, NERent $996 · Income $91,836West Baton Rouge Parish, LARent $973 · Income $87,299

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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