| Index | Fort Dodge | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 84 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 60 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 94 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Fort Dodge allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Fort Dodge stands at 84, marking it 16% lower than the national average.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 66 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Fort Dodge. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 70% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 30% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Fort Dodge affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Fort Dodge, for instance, where the median home price falls 44% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 30.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Fort Dodge flaunting a median household income of $67,304, 17.2% lower than the national norm.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Fort Dodge, the utilities index stands at 8.3% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Fort Dodge, the housing index is 39.9% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Fort Dodge are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $88,637 | $7,386 | $2,068 | $2,659 |
| Renters | $43,840 | $3,653 | $1,023 | $1,315 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pioneer, IA | 23 | 95 | 5.3% |
| Knierim, IA | 58 | 72 | 27.9% |
| Somers, IA | 98 | 77 | 23.0% |
| Lehigh, IA | 412 | 77 | 22.7% |
| Moorland, IA | 160 | 78 | 22.3% |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 24,700 | 84 | 15.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rosemont, CA | 24,690 | 132 | 32.2% |
| Faribault, MN | 24,714 | 98 | 2.2% |
| Waverly, MI | 24,722 | 98 | 2.0% |
| South Plainfield, NJ | 24,668 | 134 | 34.0% |
| North Lynnwood, WA | 24,656 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 24,700 | 84 | 15.7% |
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