| Index | Marshalltown | 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 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Marshalltown? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Marshalltown stands at 84, making it 16% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Marshalltown are 40.5% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 16 residents in Marshalltown to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 75% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 25% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown is 47.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 23.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Marshalltown has a median household income of $81,472, which is 0.2% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Marshalltown, healthcare costs are 5% lower 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 Marshalltown, the transportation index is 4.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Marshalltown, the utilities index is 8.3% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Marshalltown 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.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care 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 | $98,381 | $8,198 | $2,295 | $2,952 |
| Renters | $50,369 | $4,197 | $1,175 | $1,511 |
| 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. |
| Clemons, IA | 155 | 77 | 22.8% |
| Ferguson, IA | 128 | 78 | 21.6% |
| Union, IA | 424 | 79 | 21.1% |
| Green Mountain, IA | 186 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Gilman, IA | 555 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Marshalltown, IA | 27,894 | 84 | 15.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Elmira, NY | 27,860 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Magog, QC | 27,928 | n/a | |
| Eureka, CA | 27,853 | 124 | 24.3% |
| Ilchester, MD | 27,850 | 138 | 38.2% |
| Magna, UT | 27,938 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Marshalltown, IA | 27,894 | 84 | 15.9% |
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