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Ames, IA

Cost of living in Boone County, IA

Part of the Ames Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,856/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 26,669 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $719 25%
Federal tax $584 20%
Healthcare $480 17%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 11%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $193 7%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Boone County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$714
per month
1 bedroom
$719
per month
2 bedroom
$930
per month
3 bedroom
$1,303
per month
4 bedroom
$1,315
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Boone County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$79,741
per year
Individual earnings
$45,780
per year
Per capita
$41,075
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Boone County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$191,200
Annual property tax
$2,741

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Boone 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 Boone County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.7%

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 Boone 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 Boone County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.4 min
Drive alone
80.4%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
9.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Boone County

What it costs to live in Boone County each month.

Single person
$2,856
per month
  • Rent $719
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $584
  • State tax $193
Couple
$4,359
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $975
  • State tax $354
Family
$6,856
per month
  • Rent $1,303
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $975
  • State tax $354

Frequently asked questions about Boone County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Boone County?

In Boone County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $719 per month, a two-bedroom averages $930 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,303 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Boone County?

In Boone County, IA, the average household income is $79,741 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,780 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Boone County?

The estimated cost of living in Boone County, IA is approximately $2,856 per month for a single person, $4,359 for a couple, $6,856 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Boone County?

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

Is Boone County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Boone County, IA would need approximately $2,856 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $79,741 per year ($6,645 per month). Boone County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Boone County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Boone County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Boone County?

The average home value in Boone County, IA is $191,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,741, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Boone County compare to other areas?

You can compare Boone County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Boone County is in the Ames, 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 Boone 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