Cost Of Living in Elkhart, IA

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A+

9%

Overall NAT. AVG.

2%

Groceries NAT. AVG.

21%

Housing NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index	Elkhart	Iowa	National
Cost of living	91	89	100
Groceries	98	97	100
Health care	94	96	100
Housing	79	74	100
Transportation	95	97	100
Utilities	97	95	100
Lifestyle & Entertainment	91	95	100
Household Items	97	97	100
Education & Childcare	98	94	100

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Homes For Sale In Elkhart, IA

1145 NE 56th St

Ankeny, IA

1209 NE 56th St

Ankeny, IA

117 NE Cedar Ln

Elkhart, IA

13286 NE 56th St

Elkhart, IA

See the Newest Homes For Sale In Elkhart, IA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

The cost of living in Elkhart is 2% higher than the Iowa average
The cost of living in Elkhart is 9% lower than the national average
Elkhart housing is 21% lower than the national average
Iowa general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
Iowa state income tax is 69% higher than the national average

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index
Lifestyle index
Household index
Educare index

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$112,364	$9,364	$2,622	$3,371
Renters	$62,913	$5,243	$1,468	$1,888

Iowa Sales Tax

State	General Sales Tax	With Max Surtax
Iowa	6%	7%

Iowa Income Tax

State	Income Tax (Low)	Income Tax (High)
Iowa	4.4%	6%

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Valeria, IA	42	79	20.8%
Mingo, IA	311	83	16.9%
Maxwell, IA	765	85	14.9%
Colfax, IA	1,935	87	12.7%
Collins, IA	457	87	13.3%
Elkhart, IA	709	91	9.2%

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Willow Valley, AZ	709	91	8.6%
Goessel, KS	709	81	18.8%
Juniata, NE	709	87	13.1%
Hannibal, NY	709	94	5.9%
Yatesville, PA	709	102	2.2%
Elkhart, IA	709	91	9.2%