A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
12%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Le Mars Iowa National
Cost of living9090100
Goods & Services9196100
Groceries9797100
Health care10399100
Housing8873100
Transportation9198100
Utilities8496100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Le Mars, IA

The cost of living in Le Mars affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Le Mars is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Le Mars closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Le Mars can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Le Mars Affordable?

Wondering if Le Mars is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Le Mars, for example, the median home price is 9.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 19.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Le Mars boasting a median household income of $68,306, which is 23.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Le Mars?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Le Mars, the transportation index is 8.9% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Le Mars, the utilities index registers at 16.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Le Mars cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Le Mars is 1% higher than the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Le Mars is 10% lower than the national average
  • Le Mars housing is 12% lower 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 Le Mars

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Compare Le Mars, IA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$81,339$6,778$1,898$2,440
      Renters$48,232$4,019$1,125$1,447
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Le Mars, IA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Le Mars, the median monthly income is $81,339 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,898 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $48,232, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,125 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Le Mars National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.32$24.260.2%
      Beauty Salon $35.22$45.5622.7%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.7%
      Movie $9.36$12.1322.9%
      Bowling $16.40$18.008.9%

      Groceries

      Item Le Mars National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $10.64$12.0912.0%
      Beer $9.33$10.4110.4%

      Health Care

      Item Le Mars National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.10$125.687.5%
      Doctor $177.33$135.7830.6%
      Dentist $108.21$113.294.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.48$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $357.08$468.6023.8%

      Housing

      Item Le Mars National avg. Difference
      Home Price $167,000.00$184,700.009.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,133.89$2,346.699.1%
      Apartment Rent $766.00$949.0019.3%

      Transportation

      Item Le Mars National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.28$3.465.3%
      Tire Balancing $49.42$59.9217.5%

      Utilities

      Item Le Mars National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $141.67$193.9927.0%
      Phone $194.04$192.250.9%
      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.
      Craig, IA427920.5%
      Struble, IA958020.2%
      Brunsville, IA1408019.8%
      Ireton, IA6648218.5%
      Kingsley, IA1,4598416.1%
      Le Mars, IA10,012909.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lacombe County, AB10,012n/a 
      Wabash, IN10,0178218.3%
      Clinton, TN10,0069010.3%
      Galion, OH10,0038515.2%
      Berwick, PA10,0038812.5%
      Le Mars, IA10,012909.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.