Cost of Living in Grinnell
Grinnell's cost of living runs genuinely affordable across housing and rent, alongside Iowa's own low, flat state income tax.
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Learn moreGenuinely affordable housing and rent
Grinnell's typical home value ran approximately $151,459 (up 5.9% year-over-year), well below Iowa's own statewide typical value, while average rent ran approximately $864/month, about 57% below the national average (base record).
A real, moderate property tax rate
Grinnell's effective property tax rate ran approximately 1.34%, with the city's FY2026-27 proposed levy rate running $15.59587 per $1,000 of taxable valuation -- a modest decrease from the prior fiscal year (base record).
Iowa's low, flat income tax
Iowa's real, current flat 3.8% state income tax (2026) applies here as statewide, alongside full Social Security and 55+ retirement-income exemptions (base record).
Key takeaways
- Grinnell's housing and rent both run meaningfully below Iowa's own statewide and national averages.
- Grinnell's effective property tax rate (~1.34%) runs at a moderate level within Iowa.
- Iowa's flat 3.8% income tax and retiree exemptions apply to Grinnell residents.
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