Cost of Living in Oelwein, IA

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17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
47%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Oelwein Iowa National
Cost of living8389100
Groceries9697100
Health care9896100
Housing5374100
Transportation9897100
Utilities9695100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9495100
Household Items9997100
Education & Childcare9094100
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Homes For Sale In Oelwein, IA

property for sale

524 8th Ave NE

Oelwein, IA
property for sale

827 1st Ave NE

Oelwein, IA
property for sale

231 Lincoln Dr

Oelwein, IA
property for sale

1102 1st Ave SW

Oelwein, IA
See the Newest Homes For Sale In Oelwein, IA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Oelwein is 7% lower than the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Oelwein is 17% lower than the national average
  • Oelwein housing is 47% 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 Oelwein

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$76,771$6,398$1,791$2,303
      Renters$33,894$2,825$791$1,017
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Oelwein is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Oelwein has a median income of about $76,771 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,791 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $33,894. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $791 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Stanley, IA1337525.1%
      Randalia, IA647624.5%
      Westgate, IA2208020.1%
      Wadena, IA2288020.0%
      Arlington, IA5068118.8%
      Oelwein, IA6,0658316.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      South Highpoint, FL6,065946.3%
      Fair Haven, NJ6,06520099.8%
      Sunbury, OH6,0651065.7%
      Asbury, IA6,0641077.4%
      Woodcliff Lake, NJ6,06419493.9%
      Oelwein, IA6,0658316.9%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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