Iowa · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Warren County, IA

The median household in Warren County, IA earns $94,588 a year ($7,882/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,318/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $52,720 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$94,588$7,882 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,318HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.7-8.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Census Population54,409Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Warren County, IA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,318Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,720To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,365At 30% of $94,588
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Warren County, IA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Warren County, IA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,063$12,756$42,52013.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,109$13,308$44,36014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,318$15,816$52,72016.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,794$21,528$71,76022.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,841$22,092$73,64023.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Warren County, IA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Warren County, IA

Based on the local median household income of $94,588/year ($7,882/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,941/moRent ($1,318 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,365/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,576/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$94,588
$35,000$190,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$94,588
Net 77%
Fed 13%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$72,430After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,036Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,786Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$11,979 / yr
Iowa state income tax$2,943 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,236 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Warren County, IA

What is the median household income in Warren County, IA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Warren County, IA is $94,588 per year (approximately $7,882 per month).

What is the average rent in Warren County, IA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Warren County, IA are $1,063 for a studio, $1,109 for 1 bedroom, $1,318 for 2 bedrooms, $1,794 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,841 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Warren County, IA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Warren County, IA is 91.7 (8.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Warren County, IA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,318/month) in Warren County, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $52,720 per year ($4,393 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Warren County, IA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $94,588/year ($7,882/month) in Warren County, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,941/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,365/month to discretionary spending, and $1,576/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Warren County, IA?

Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.