| Index | Indianola | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 94 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Indianola 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 Indianola stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Indianola are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Indianola can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Indianola an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Indianola is 6.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Indianola has a median household income of $94,621, which is 16.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Indianola, the transportation index is 3.8% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Indianola, the utilities index registers at 8.5% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Indianola, the groceries index is 3.6% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Indianola shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $126,192 | $10,516 | $2,944 | $3,786 |
| Renters | $45,672 | $3,806 | $1,066 | $1,370 |
| 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. |
| Bevington, IA | 28 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Swan, IA | 47 | 79 | 21.1% |
| Lacona, IA | 346 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Spring Hill, IA | 49 | 86 | 14.5% |
| Milo, IA | 808 | 86 | 13.7% |
| Indianola, IA | 16,415 | 94 | 6.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dyer, IN | 16,417 | 105 | 5.4% |
| Hibbing, MN | 16,417 | 89 | 11.2% |
| Spanish Springs, NV | 16,407 | 134 | 34.5% |
| Walnut Park, CA | 16,426 | 143 | 43.2% |
| Crawfordsville, IN | 16,427 | 85 | 14.8% |
| Indianola, IA | 16,415 | 94 | 6.0% |
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