| Index | Le Mars | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 89 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 94 | 100 |
The cost of living in Le Mars affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Le Mars is 94, which is 6% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Le Mars closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Le Mars can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Le Mars an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Le Mars, the median home price is 7.1% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 20.4% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Le Mars come in at $101,661, which is 25% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Le Mars, the housing index stands at 11.1% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Le Mars, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 4.4%.
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 Le Mars, the groceries index is 3.7% lower than the national average.
The Le Mars cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $123,135 | $10,261 | $2,873 | $3,694 |
| Renters | $72,770 | $6,064 | $1,698 | $2,183 |
| 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. |
| Craig, IA | 43 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Struble, IA | 99 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Brunsville, IA | 144 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Ireton, IA | 685 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Kingsley, IA | 1,495 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Le Mars, IA | 10,368 | 94 | 6.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Plymouth, IN | 10,366 | 85 | 15.3% |
| Ventnor City, NJ | 10,370 | 120 | 20.4% |
| Fountain Inn, SC | 10,371 | 95 | 4.6% |
| Rideau Lakes, ON | 10,371 | n/a | |
| Chalco, NE | 10,372 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Le Mars, IA | 10,368 | 94 | 6.3% |
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