Cost of Living in Houghton, IA

Get 300+ Local Insights for Any Address in Houghton, IA

Get Access to 300+ Local Data Points
A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Houghton Iowa National
Cost of living8988100
Goods & Services9294100
Groceries9597100
Health care10396100
Housing7474100
Transportation10099100
Utilities9588100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Houghton is equal to the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Houghton is 11% lower than the national average
  • Houghton housing is 26% 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

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Houghton

See all the best places to live around Houghton

Compare Houghton, IA Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Houghton?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Houghton?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Houghton poll results

      The best places in Iowa

      Here are the best places to live in IowaSee the best places to live in HoughtonCheck out the 10 safest cities in IowaMost Dangerous States In The US
      Best Places in Iowa

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$141,427$11,786$3,300$4,243
      Renters$0$0$0$0

      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%

      Goods & Services

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.80$27.6231.9%
      Beauty Salon $28.00$51.1145.2%
      Toothpaste $4.11$4.090.4%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.5421.5%
      Movie $11.55$12.8810.3%
      Yoga $11.67$19.6640.6%

      Groceries

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.52$7.702.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.61$4.732.6%
      Potatoes $5.28$5.260.4%
      Pizza $13.90$12.768.9%
      Beer $10.19$10.553.4%

      Health Care

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.00$140.0612.2%
      Doctor $183.60$153.8219.4%
      Dentist $98.20$123.1520.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.45$11.732.4%
      Lipitor $29.37$23.6124.4%

      Housing

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $242,996.00$326,622.0025.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,682.46$2,480.2532.2%
      Apartment Rent $0.00$1,444.00100.0%

      Transportation

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.04$3.060.6%
      Tire Balancing $65.60$65.210.6%

      Utilities

      Item Houghton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $205.61$220.126.6%
      Phone $191.50$195.712.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hillsboro, IA1947624.1%
      Farmington, IA6597623.6%
      Bonaparte, IA4717722.6%
      Rome, IA737822.2%
      Stockport, IA3727921.4%
      Houghton, IA1088911.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Franklin CDP (Sacramento County), CA10813130.8%
      Arion, IA1087129.0%
      Carpenter, IA1088515.3%
      St. Donatus, IA108954.8%
      Unionville, IA1087623.9%
      Houghton, IA1088911.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
      General
      For Professionals
      Follow Us
      AV on Twitter AV on Facebook
      © AreaVibes Inc. 2010-2026