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Iowa

Cost of living in Fayette County, IA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,659/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 19,393 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $684 26%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $459 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $315 12%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $156 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Fayette County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$646
per month
1 bedroom
$684
per month
2 bedroom
$877
per month
3 bedroom
$1,135
per month
4 bedroom
$1,473
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Fayette County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$58,764
per year
Individual earnings
$38,116
per year
Per capita
$32,982
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Fayette County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$130,800
Annual property tax
$1,721

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Fayette 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 Fayette County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
4.7%

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 Fayette 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 Fayette County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.1 min
Drive alone
79.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
8.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Fayette County

What it costs to live in Fayette County each month.

Single person
$2,659
per month
  • Rent $684
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $459
  • State tax $156
Couple
$3,863
per month
  • Rent $877
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $632
  • State tax $254
Family
$6,245
per month
  • Rent $1,135
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $632
  • State tax $254

Frequently asked questions about Fayette County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Fayette County?

In Fayette County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $684 per month, a two-bedroom averages $877 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,135 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Fayette County?

In Fayette County, IA, the average household income is $58,764 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,116 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Fayette County?

The estimated cost of living in Fayette County, IA is approximately $2,659 per month for a single person, $3,863 for a couple, $6,245 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Fayette County?

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

Is Fayette County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Fayette County, IA would need approximately $2,659 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $58,764 per year ($4,897 per month). Fayette County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Fayette County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Fayette County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 4.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Fayette County?

The average home value in Fayette County, IA is $130,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,721, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Fayette County compare to other areas?

You can compare Fayette County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Fayette 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 Fayette 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