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Iowa

Cost of living in O'Brien County, IA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,723/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 14,103 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $668 25%
Federal tax $521 19%
Healthcare $480 18%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $315 12%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $174 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in O'Brien County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$646
per month
1 bedroom
$668
per month
2 bedroom
$877
per month
3 bedroom
$1,158
per month
4 bedroom
$1,163
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in O'Brien County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$68,216
per year
Individual earnings
$41,937
per year
Per capita
$34,346
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in O'Brien County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$158,900
Annual property tax
$1,572

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in O'Brien 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 O'Brien County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.6%

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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
18.4 min
Drive alone
82.3%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
6.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for O'Brien County

What it costs to live in O'Brien County each month.

Single person
$2,723
per month
  • Rent $668
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $521
  • State tax $174
Couple
$4,062
per month
  • Rent $877
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $786
  • State tax $299
Family
$6,467
per month
  • Rent $1,158
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $786
  • State tax $299

Frequently asked questions about O'Brien County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in O'Brien County?

In O'Brien County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $668 per month, a two-bedroom averages $877 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,158 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in O'Brien County?

In O'Brien County, IA, the average household income is $68,216 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,937 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in O'Brien County?

The estimated cost of living in O'Brien County, IA is approximately $2,723 per month for a single person, $4,062 for a couple, $6,467 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in O'Brien County?

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

Is O'Brien County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in O'Brien County, IA would need approximately $2,723 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $68,216 per year ($5,685 per month). O'Brien County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in O'Brien County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in O'Brien County, IA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in O'Brien County?

The average home value in O'Brien County, IA is $158,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,572, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does O'Brien County compare to other areas?

You can compare O'Brien County, IA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. O'Brien 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 O'Brien County with another area

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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