Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Iowa runs roughly 25% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $74,925 in Utah — about 15% higher in Utah. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.1%
+0.1 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.50%
+0.7 pp in Utah
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$1,166
+34% in Utah
Median Home Value
$183,700
$495,700
+170% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$74,925
+17% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
52.8°F
+1.9°F in Utah
Iowa vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Utah?
- Iowa is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $870 runs about 25% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa than in Utah?
- 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 $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Utah?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Iowa/Utah — 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.