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Cedar Rapids, IA

Cost of living in Benton County, IA

Part of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,890/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 25,698 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $668 23%
Federal tax $650 22%
Healthcare $480 17%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 11%
State tax $212 7%
Energy $195 7%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Benton County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$601
per month
1 bedroom
$668
per month
2 bedroom
$877
per month
3 bedroom
$1,140
per month
4 bedroom
$1,284
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Benton County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$84,742
per year
Individual earnings
$49,778
per year
Per capita
$40,995
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Benton County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$198,400
Annual property tax
$2,627

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Benton County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$134
per month · 15.8¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,340
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Benton County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Benton County

State and local tax rates for Iowa.

State income tax
5.7%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.9%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Benton County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.1 min
Drive alone
79.9%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
10.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Benton County

What it costs to live in Benton County each month.

Single person
$2,890
per month
  • Rent $668
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $650
  • State tax $212
Couple
$4,412
per month
  • Rent $877
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,057
  • State tax $378
Family
$6,799
per month
  • Rent $1,140
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,057
  • State tax $378

Frequently asked questions about Benton County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Benton County?

In Benton County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $668 per month, a two-bedroom averages $877 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,140 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Benton County?

In Benton County, IA, the average household income is $84,742 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $49,778 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Benton County?

The estimated cost of living in Benton County, IA is approximately $2,890 per month for a single person, $4,412 for a couple, $6,799 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Benton County?

The combined sales tax rate in Benton County, IA is 6.94%, which includes the Iowa state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.94%.

Is Benton County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Benton County, IA would need approximately $2,890 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $84,742 per year ($7,062 per month). Benton County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Benton County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Benton County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Benton County?

The average home value in Benton County, IA is $198,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,627, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Benton County compare to other areas?

You can compare Benton County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Benton County is in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area.

Other counties in Iowa

Browse the full list of counties in Iowa, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Iowa

Compare Benton County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources