Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $51,707 in Ohio — about 19% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
5.75%
+0.3 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
2.75%
+1.0 pp in Iowa
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$817
+6% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$215,300
+17% in Ohio
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$51,707
+19% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
52.7°F
+1.8°F in Ohio
Iowa vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 6% 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 Ohio?
- 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 $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Ohio?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Iowa/Ohio — 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.