Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Iowa

Cost of living in Decatur County, IA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,532/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 7,669 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $668 26%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $373 15%
Transport $320 13%
Groceries $315 12%
Energy $195 8%
State tax $131 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Decatur County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$646
per month
1 bedroom
$668
per month
2 bedroom
$877
per month
3 bedroom
$1,057
per month
4 bedroom
$1,473
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Decatur County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$57,146
per year
Individual earnings
$32,879
per year
Per capita
$27,508
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Decatur County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$109,500
Annual property tax
$1,856

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Decatur 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 Decatur County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.9%

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 Decatur 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 Decatur County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
75.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
7.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Decatur County

What it costs to live in Decatur County each month.

Single person
$2,532
per month
  • Rent $668
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $373
  • State tax $131
Couple
$3,828
per month
  • Rent $877
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $605
  • State tax $246
Family
$6,132
per month
  • Rent $1,057
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $605
  • State tax $246

Frequently asked questions about Decatur County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Decatur County?

In Decatur County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $668 per month, a two-bedroom averages $877 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,057 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Decatur County?

In Decatur County, IA, the average household income is $57,146 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $32,879 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Decatur County?

The estimated cost of living in Decatur County, IA is approximately $2,532 per month for a single person, $3,828 for a couple, $6,132 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Decatur County?

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

Is Decatur County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Decatur County, IA would need approximately $2,532 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $57,146 per year ($4,762 per month). Decatur County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Decatur County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Decatur County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Decatur County?

The average home value in Decatur County, IA is $109,500, with average annual property taxes of $1,856, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Decatur County compare to other areas?

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

Other counties in Iowa

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

See all counties in Iowa

Compare Decatur 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