Iowa · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Plymouth County, IA

Prices around Plymouth County, IA run 12.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, Iowa). The typical household there earns $83,251 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $980 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $39,200 a year.

Plymouth County, IA at a glance

Median household income

$83,251$6,938 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$980HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)87.8-12.2% · BEA, Iowa
Electricity15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Population25,747Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Plymouth 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$980Monthly market rent
Share of gross income14.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,081At 30% of $83,251
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Plymouth County, IA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$767$9,204$30,68011.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$772$9,264$30,88011.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$980$11,760$39,20014.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,287$15,444$51,48018.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,366$16,392$54,64019.7%

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

What a typical income covers in Plymouth County, IA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $83,251 a year ($6,938 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,469/moRent ($980 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,081/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,388/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $83,251 leaves after Iowa taxes

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

$83,251
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$83,251
Net 78%
Fed 11%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$64,885After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,407Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,496Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,485 / yr
Iowa state income tax$2,512 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,369 / yr

Living in Plymouth County, IA: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Plymouth County, IA is $83,251 per year (approximately $6,938 per month).

What is the average rent in Plymouth County, IA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $767 for a studio, $772 for one bedroom, $980 for two, $1,287 for three and $1,366 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 Plymouth County, IA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 12.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Iowa is 87.8, 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 Plymouth County, IA?

To keep a $980 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $39,200 a year, or $3,267 a month. That is 47% of what the typical household in Plymouth County, IA earns.

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

On the local median income of $83,251 ($6,938 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,469 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,081 for everything else and $1,388 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $980 takes 28% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Plymouth 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.