| Index | Waukee | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 131 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 94 | 100 |
The cost of living in Waukee 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 Waukee is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Waukee are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Waukee can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Waukee, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 30.8% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 12 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Waukee. The feedback revealed that 42% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 58% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Waukee is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Waukee, for example, the median home price is 36.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 17.1% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Waukee boasting a median household income of $140,513, which is 72.8% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Waukee, the utilities index registers 2.8% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Waukee, the transportation index is 4% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Waukee 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 | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $169,883 | $14,157 | $3,964 | $5,097 |
| Renters | $102,256 | $8,521 | $2,386 | $3,068 |
| 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. |
| Spring Hill, IA | 49 | 86 | 14.5% |
| Minburn, IA | 413 | 88 | 11.6% |
| De Soto, IA | 1,011 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Dallas Center, IA | 1,744 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Waukee, IA | 23,183 | 106 | 6.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hopewell, VA | 23,190 | 95 | 4.9% |
| Greenfield, IN | 23,175 | 94 | 5.9% |
| Christiansburg, VA | 23,191 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Garden City, NY | 23,173 | 208 | 107.9% |
| Highland, IN | 23,168 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Waukee, IA | 23,183 | 106 | 6.3% |
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