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Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Cost of living in Black Hawk County, IA

Part of the Waterloo Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,726/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 130,693 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $760 28%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $452 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $315 12%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $154 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Black Hawk County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$684
per month
1 bedroom
$760
per month
2 bedroom
$997
per month
3 bedroom
$1,301
per month
4 bedroom
$1,674
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Black Hawk County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,581
per year
Individual earnings
$37,726
per year
Per capita
$37,409
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Black Hawk County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$182,400
Annual property tax
$2,790

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.4%

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 Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
16.1 min
Drive alone
77.9%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
8.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Black Hawk County

What it costs to live in Black Hawk County each month.

Single person
$2,726
per month
  • Rent $760
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $452
  • State tax $154
Couple
$4,106
per month
  • Rent $997
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $727
  • State tax $282
Family
$6,534
per month
  • Rent $1,301
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $727
  • State tax $282

Frequently asked questions about Black Hawk County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Black Hawk County?

In Black Hawk County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $760 per month, a two-bedroom averages $997 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,301 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Black Hawk County?

In Black Hawk County, IA, the average household income is $64,581 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,726 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Black Hawk County?

The estimated cost of living in Black Hawk County, IA is approximately $2,726 per month for a single person, $4,106 for a couple, $6,534 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Black Hawk County?

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

Is Black Hawk County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Black Hawk County, IA would need approximately $2,726 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,581 per year ($5,382 per month). Black Hawk County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Black Hawk County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Black Hawk County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Black Hawk County?

The average home value in Black Hawk County, IA is $182,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,790, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Black Hawk County compare to other areas?

You can compare Black Hawk County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Black Hawk County is in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Black Hawk 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