Iowa · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Jones County, IA

Prices around Jones County, IA run 11% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $73,531 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $919 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $36,760 a year.

Jones County, IA at a glance

Median household income

$73,531$6,128 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$919HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)89.0-11% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Population20,896Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Jones County, IA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$919Monthly market rent
Share of gross income15%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,838At 30% of $73,531
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Jones County, IA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Jones County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Jones County, IA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$634$7,608$25,36010.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$711$8,532$28,44011.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$919$11,028$36,76015%
3-Bedroom Home$1,212$14,544$48,48019.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,217$14,604$48,68019.9%

Rent in Jones County, IA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Jones County, IA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $73,531 a year ($6,128 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,064/moRent ($919 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,838/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,226/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $73,531 leaves after Iowa taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Iowa tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$73,531
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$73,531
Net 79%
Fed 10%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$58,417After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,868Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,247Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,347 / yr
Iowa state income tax$2,142 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,625 / yr

Living in Jones County, IA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jones County, IA is $73,531 per year (approximately $6,128 per month).

What is the average rent in Jones County, IA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $634 for a studio, $711 for one bedroom, $919 for two, $1,212 for three and $1,217 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Jones County, IA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 11% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 89.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

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

To keep a $919 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $36,760 a year, or $3,063 a month. That is 50% of what the typical household in Jones County, IA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Jones County, IA?

On the local median income of $73,531 ($6,128 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,064 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,838 for everything else and $1,226 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $919 takes 30% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Jones County, IA?

Homes in Iowa paid 15.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $143. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.