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Iowa

Cost of living in Jefferson County, IA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,538/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 15,676 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $787 31%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $339 13%
Groceries $315 12%
Transport $250 10%
Energy $195 8%
State tax $122 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Jefferson County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$781
per month
1 bedroom
$787
per month
2 bedroom
$1,032
per month
3 bedroom
$1,243
per month
4 bedroom
$1,368
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Jefferson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$56,824
per year
Individual earnings
$30,807
per year
Per capita
$35,800
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Jefferson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$161,200
Annual property tax
$2,397

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.2%

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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
15.2 min
Drive alone
67.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
18.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Jefferson County

What it costs to live in Jefferson County each month.

Single person
$2,538
per month
  • Rent $787
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $339
  • State tax $122
Couple
$3,907
per month
  • Rent $1,032
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $600
  • State tax $245
Family
$6,242
per month
  • Rent $1,243
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $600
  • State tax $245

Frequently asked questions about Jefferson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Jefferson County?

In Jefferson County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $787 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,032 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,243 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Jefferson County?

In Jefferson County, IA, the average household income is $56,824 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $30,807 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Jefferson County?

The estimated cost of living in Jefferson County, IA is approximately $2,538 per month for a single person, $3,907 for a couple, $6,242 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Jefferson County?

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

Is Jefferson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Jefferson County, IA would need approximately $2,538 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $56,824 per year ($4,735 per month). Jefferson County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Jefferson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Jefferson County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Jefferson County?

The average home value in Jefferson County, IA is $161,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,397, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Jefferson County compare to other areas?

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