Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $916 in Georgia versus $870 in Iowa. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Georgia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $56,622 in Georgia and $63,966 in Iowa — about 11% higher in Iowa. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.80%
+1.4 pp in Georgia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$916
$870
+5% in Georgia
Median Home Value
$182,300
$183,700
+1% in Iowa
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$56,622
$63,966
+13% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
50.9°F
+14.3°F in Georgia
Georgia vs Iowa — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Iowa?
- Iowa is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 5% below Georgia's $916, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Georgia than in Iowa?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Georgia versus $35,000 in Iowa.
- Which has lower taxes, Georgia or Iowa?
- Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Georgia/Iowa — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.