Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $824 in Wyoming. Overall, Wyoming runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $77,176 in Wyoming — about 17% 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
$870
$824
+5% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$311,200
+69% in Wyoming
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$77,176
+21% in Wyoming
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
46.5°F
+4.4°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 $824 runs about 5% 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 Wyoming?
- 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 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 1/1 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.