One app for all your study abroad needs
lowa, a beautiful landlocked state located in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It provides a wonderful environment to its students in education, business, health and sports. If you are thinking of higher studies in Iowa then you need to know the cost of living in Iowa per month for a single person.
Iowa has top-notch universities that provide safe and pleasant environments to its students. Before moving to Iowa, students need to understand the recent updates on the cost of living in Iowa. In this blog, we will discuss the average cost of living in Iowa in detail as well as other necessary expenses. Without further ado, let’s discuss the average cost of living in Iowa in detail.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Living in Iowa
The cost of living in Iowa is around USD 1635 including rent according to the living cost. The living expenses in Iowa can vary according to a person’s preferences, budget and lifestyle they follow. The cost of living in Iowa is 1.34 times lower than the average cost of living in the United States, and it ranks 52nd among the most costly states to live in and 41st among the best places to live in the United States.
The cost of living depends on some essential factors, such as housing cost, food and grocery prices, public transportation cost, utility bills and a few others. Here are some essential expense categories you need to know about how much they contribute to the cost of living in Iowa:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Cardiff: House Rent, Food, Expenses [2024]
Costs of Accommodation in Iowa
If you go for a one-bedroom apartment around the city area in Iowa, it can cost around USD 952 per month for an area of 40 square metres, while if you opt for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre area, it can cost around USD 729 per month according to livingcost. The location and size of the apartment is a deciding factor of its cost.
The housing costs cover a considerable portion of the cost of living in Iowa. By looking at the table below, you can understand the average housing cost in Iowa and how much it contributes to Iowa’s total living expense budget:
| Apartment | Location | Approx Monthly Cost |
| Single-Bedroom Apartment 40 m2 | City Centre | USD 952 |
| Single-bedroom Apartment 40 m2 | Outside the Centre | USD 729 |
| Three -bedrooms Apartment 80 m2 | City Centre | USD 1757 |
| Three -bedrooms Apartment 80 m2 | Outside the Centre | USD 1337 |
Cost of a Utility in Iowa
While living in an apartment, basic amenities like electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal etc. are very important. People in Iowa spend about USD 102 per month on basic utilities. For your convenience, in the below table, we have given some basic utility costs in Iowa. Please see and make your budget accordingly:
| Utility Type | Average Monthly Cost |
| Basic Utility for an apartment (Water, Electricity, Heating) | USD 102 |
| Internet Plan (50 Mbps+, 1 month Unlimited Data) | USD 61.9 |
Restaurant Food Costs in Iowa
Iowa restaurants are famous for Snacks, Corn, Cheese, Salad, Cheese, Sweet Pie, Sour Cream Raisin Pie, Dessert, Snickers Salad and many more. Whether you want to dine at a restaurant or wants to enjoy its street food, Iowa has something for every food lover. The average cost of a lunch menu at an affordable restaurant in Iowa is around USD 14.4 and the average cost of a meal at a restaurant for 2 people is around USD 54. For a cup of Cappuccino coffee, you will have to pay around US$5 which is affordable for anyone in any country.
Cost of Grocery in Iowa
If you are a student then preparing food at home is a good idea because it will save you a lot of money and if you go out to eat or order food online it can be expensive for you and the cost of living in Iowa Can affect the budget.
Furthermore, in Iowa, you need to maintain a grocery budget as it is a primary and important part of the cost of living in Iowa. For your convenience, the average cost of groceries in Iowa is shown in the table below:
| Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | USD 0.95 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | USD 3.12 |
| Apples (1kg) | USD 4.46 |
| Banana (1kg) | USD 1.58 |
| Oranges (1kg) | USD 3.63 |
| Tomato (1kg) | USD 4.5 |
| Potato (1kg) | USD 2.14 |
| Onion (1kg) | USD 2.77 |
| Cheese (1kg) | USD 11.3 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | USD 3.49 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | USD 2.44 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | USD 1.09 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Transportation Costs in Iowa
Typically, a local transit ticket in Iowa costs around USD 1.52. However, public transportation costs in Iowa depend on the type of service you choose and how far you travel.
In the average cost of living in Iowa, transportation costs cover a significant portion. For your consideration, below we have outlined the moderate cost of transportation in Iowa and it will give you an estimation of how much you need to budget for transportation:
| Mode of Transport | Approx Monthly Cost |
| Local Transport Ticket | USD 1.52 |
| Monthly ticket for local transport | USD 41.7 |
| Taxi ride for 5km | USD 15.3 (Normal Tariff) |
| Gasoline | USD 0.87 per litre |
Miscellaneous Cost in Iowa
Apart from the above range of expense categories of cost of living in Iowa, there are some miscellaneous costs that you need to know before moving there because, after some time in extra time, you will need them in Iowa apart from study and job.
We’ve provided a variety of data covering miscellaneous costs in Iowa, such as the cost of sports, entertainment, and apparel. Please take a look at the table below and you can also add them to your living expenses budget.
| Miscellaneous Catagory | Average Costs |
| Fitness Club, for a month | USD 43.5 |
| Doctor’s visit | USD 99.9 |
| Cinema 1 person | USD 12.1 |
| Branded Jeans | USD 46 |
| Brand Sneakers | USD 82.1 |
Cost of Living in Iowa Compared to Other States
In general, the average cost of living in Iowa is lower than the national average and if we compare Iowa to many other states in the US, it also offers a fairly affordable cost of living with ample opportunities for higher studies, work, and amusement.
For your reference, we have given a comparison between the cost of living in Iowa and other cities like Texas, Florida, California, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and Virginia so that you can understand how affordable Iowa is. Please have a look and understand the expenses accordingly:
| Cost of living city-wise | Approx Costs | Comparison Cost of Living in Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Texas | USD 2117 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Florida | USD 2502 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in California | USD 2893 | Higher than in Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Michigan | USD 1903 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Missouri | USD 1972 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Illinois | USD 2280 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Oklahoma | USD 1858 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Nebraska | USD 2081 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Colorado | USD 2456 | Higher than Iowa |
| Cost of Living in Virginia | USD 2326 | Higher than Iowa |
Average Cost of Tuition Fees in Iowa
Iowa’s universities are world-renowned and some of its prestigious universities are listed in the QS and THE rankings, making it the most suitable destination for international students for higher studies. The main expense for International students who want to study in Iowa is university tuition fees.
The average cost of tuition fees at Iowa universities can vary according to the preferred program and the level of education a student wants to pursue. Searching for the average education fees in universities in Iowa is a daunting task for a candidate. That’s why we are here, in the following table we have given the moderate tuition fees at some universities in Iowa. Please take a look.
| Name of University in Iowa | Approx Tuition Fees per year |
| University of Iowa | USD 32,927 |
| Iowa State University of Science and Technology | USD 26,617 |
| Drake University | USD 50,114 |
| Clarke University | USD 39,600 |
| St. Ambrose University | USD 35,598 |
| Grinnell College | USD 64,862 |
| Cornell College | USD 50,634 |
| Luther College | USD 50,320 |
Conclusion: Iowa offers a good quality of life to international students at a lower cost than many other states in the United States. It offers diverse natural beauty, strong educational institutions, quality of life and a vibrant cultural scene, making it an attractive place to study and live.
Relevant Reads:
FAQs
Answer: If we include rent for an apartment, the average cost of living in Iowa is around USD 1,635. However, these costs of living in Iowa may vary according to a person’s preferences and region.
Answer: The average cost of living in Iowa, including rent, is approximately USD 1,635, which is low compared to other states in the United States. Which makes it an attractive destination for international students.
Ans: To live comfortably in Iowa an individual needs around USD 1,635 including rent. This amount is roughly the same as the cost of living in Iowa for a single person.
Ans: Yes, Iowa is a cheap state to live in the United States as the average cost of living for a person in Iowa is around USD 1,635 including rent. It is lower than the national average and along with this Iowa offers a wonderful living experience.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Iowa. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.