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Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 10 categories

VS

California

High tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 2 categories

California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Iowa's 3.8%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 61% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs California's 0.71%. The median home in California costs $790K vs $215K in Iowa.

Iowa
California

Taxes

3.8%
Income Tax (top rate)
13.3%
1.42%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.71%/yr
6.94%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.82%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

88
COL Index (100=avg)
142
$215K
Median Home Price
$790K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,300/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

284
Violent Crime / 100K
499
1,626
Property Crime / 100K
2,027

Healthcare

#21 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#13 of 50
78 yrs
Life Expectancy
79.2 yrs
5.8%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#15 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#20 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$1,100/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$135/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$175/mo
$440/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$620/mo
#8 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#49 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+20.0

Category wins

10

Iowa

2

California

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People Also Ask

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or California?

Is it more expensive to live in Iowa City or Los Angeles? Overall cost of living in Los Angeles, CA is 64.5% higher than in Iowa City, IA. The average listing price for a home in Los Angeles, CA is $1,350,980, which is 215.8% higher than Iowa City, IA.

What are the main reasons people leave Iowa?

Is Iowa the best state to live in?

Is $70,000 enough to live in California?

Full Iowa Profile →Full California Profile →

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