A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Pella Iowa National
Cost of living9588100
Goods & Services9194100
Groceries9897100
Health care8396100
Housing10474100
Transportation9999100
Utilities7988100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Pella, IA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Pella? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Pella stands at 95, making it 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Pella are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Pella can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Pella Affordable?

Is Pella affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Pella, the median home price is 13.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 17.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Pella boasting a median household income of $112,200, 38% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pella?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Pella, the housing index stands at 4.3% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Pella, the utilities index is 21.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Pella displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pella is 8% higher than the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Pella is 5% lower than the national average
  • Pella housing is 4% higher than the national average
  • Iowa general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Iowa state income tax is 69% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pella

See all the best places to live around Pella

Compare Pella, IA Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$126,718$10,560$2,957$3,802
      Renters$78,004$6,500$1,820$2,340
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Pella, IA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Pella homeowners, is $126,718. This would allow for a maximum of $2,957 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $78,004 which would result in a maximum of $1,820 to be spent on rental costs.

      Iowa Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Iowa 6% 7%

      Iowa Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Iowa 4.4% 6%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.10$27.625.5%
      Beauty Salon $45.69$51.1110.6%
      Toothpaste $4.05$4.091.0%
      Shampoo $1.66$1.547.7%
      Movie $10.95$12.8815.0%
      Yoga $20.71$19.665.3%

      Groceries

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.81$7.701.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.51$1.669.2%
      Milk $4.68$4.731.1%
      Potatoes $5.16$5.261.8%
      Pizza $12.30$12.763.6%
      Beer $10.51$10.550.4%

      Health Care

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $93.94$140.0632.9%
      Doctor $109.70$153.8228.7%
      Dentist $134.62$123.159.3%
      Ibuprofen $12.10$11.733.1%
      Lipitor $10.77$23.6154.4%

      Housing

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      Home Price $371,379.00$326,622.0013.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,660.94$2,480.2533.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,187.00$1,444.0017.8%

      Transportation

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.96$3.063.2%
      Tire Balancing $68.29$65.214.7%

      Utilities

      Item Pella National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.41$220.1232.6%
      Phone $191.50$195.712.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bussey, IA4587425.6%
      Harvey, IA1847624.0%
      Searsboro, IA1407821.6%
      Beacon, IA5757920.9%
      Reasnor, IA1028019.8%
      Pella, IA10,526954.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Whittier, CA10,52616867.8%
      Hawkesbury, ON10,526n/a 
      Bluffton, IN10,5278514.7%
      Forest Acres, SC10,5291010.8%
      West Haverstraw, NY10,53912525.0%
      Pella, IA10,526954.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.