Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $857 in New York. Overall, New York runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $48,050 in New York — about 25% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
10.90%
+7.1 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$857
+1% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$152,300
+17% in Iowa
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$48,050
+25% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
48.3°F
+2.6°F in Iowa
Iowa vs New York — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or New York?
- New York is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $857 runs about 1% below Iowa's $870, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa than in New York?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $34,000 in New York.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or New York?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Iowa/New York — 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.