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Ottumwa, IA

Cost of living in Wapello County, IA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,796/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 35,265 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $776 28%
Federal tax $494 18%
Healthcare $480 17%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 11%
Energy $195 7%
State tax $166 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Wapello County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$750
per month
1 bedroom
$776
per month
2 bedroom
$1,018
per month
3 bedroom
$1,271
per month
4 bedroom
$1,467
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Wapello County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$60,034
per year
Individual earnings
$40,262
per year
Per capita
$33,337
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Wapello County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$112,900
Annual property tax
$1,854

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Wapello 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 Wapello 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 Wapello 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 Wapello County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.6 min
Drive alone
79.1%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
4.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Wapello County

What it costs to live in Wapello County each month.

Single person
$2,796
per month
  • Rent $776
  • Energy $195
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $494
  • State tax $166
Couple
$4,030
per month
  • Rent $1,018
  • Energy $234
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $652
  • State tax $260
Family
$6,407
per month
  • Rent $1,271
  • Energy $292
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $652
  • State tax $260

Frequently asked questions about Wapello County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Wapello County?

In Wapello County, IA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $776 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,018 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,271 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Wapello County?

In Wapello County, IA, the average household income is $60,034 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,262 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Wapello County?

The estimated cost of living in Wapello County, IA is approximately $2,796 per month for a single person, $4,030 for a couple, $6,407 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Wapello County?

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

Is Wapello County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Wapello County, IA would need approximately $2,796 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $60,034 per year ($5,003 per month). Wapello County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Wapello County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Wapello 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 Wapello County?

The average home value in Wapello County, IA is $112,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,854, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Wapello County compare to other areas?

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