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Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Cost of living in Dallas County, IA

Part of the Des Moines Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,418/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 104,136 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,017 30%
Federal tax $789 23%
Healthcare $480 14%
Transport $320 9%
Groceries $315 9%
State tax $252 7%
Energy $195 6%
Water $50 1%

Rent in Dallas County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$954
per month
1 bedroom
$1,017
per month
2 bedroom
$1,216
per month
3 bedroom
$1,632
per month
4 bedroom
$1,638
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Dallas County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$102,349
per year
Individual earnings
$58,297
per year
Per capita
$52,722
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Dallas County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$333,400
Annual property tax
$4,849

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Dallas 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 Dallas County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.1%

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 Dallas 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 Dallas County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.8 min
Drive alone
71.9%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
18.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Dallas County

What it costs to live in Dallas County each month.

Single person
$3,418
per month
  • Rent $1,017
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $789
  • State tax $252
Couple
$5,122
per month
  • Rent $1,216
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,345
  • State tax $461
Family
$7,662
per month
  • Rent $1,632
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,345
  • State tax $461

Frequently asked questions about Dallas County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Dallas County?

In Dallas County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,017 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,216 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,632 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Dallas County?

In Dallas County, IA, the average household income is $102,349 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $58,297 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Dallas County?

The estimated cost of living in Dallas County, IA is approximately $3,418 per month for a single person, $5,122 for a couple, $7,662 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Dallas County?

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

Is Dallas County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Dallas County, IA would need approximately $3,418 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $102,349 per year ($8,529 per month). Dallas County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Dallas County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Dallas County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Dallas County?

The average home value in Dallas County, IA is $333,400, with average annual property taxes of $4,849, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Dallas County compare to other areas?

You can compare Dallas County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Dallas County is in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Dallas 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