Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $777 in Iowa versus $764 in Wyoming. Overall, Wyoming runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,497 in Iowa and $69,171 in Wyoming — about 7% higher in Wyoming. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in Iowa
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
None
+3.8 pp in Iowa
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$777
$764
+2% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$177,100
$302,200
+71% in Wyoming
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,497
$69,171
+7% in Wyoming
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
49.3°F
45.4°F
+3.9°F in Iowa
Iowa vs Wyoming — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Wyoming?
- Wyoming is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $764 runs about 2% below Iowa's $777, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa than in Wyoming?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Iowa versus $31,000 in Wyoming.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Wyoming?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Iowa/Wyoming — 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.