Cost of Living in Johnston
Johnston's cost of living pairs quickly appreciating, above-national-median home prices against a real, affluent local income base and Iowa's flat state income tax.
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Learn moreQuickly appreciating, above-median home prices
Johnston's typical home value ran approximately $337,265 per Zillow, up a real, substantial 12.0% year-over-year -- well above the national median of approximately $244,900 (base record).
Rent running genuinely moderate for the metro
Johnston's average rent ran approximately $1,387/month as of May 2026, up a real 1.57% year-over-year (base record).
An above-Iowa-median property tax baseline
No Johnston-specific effective property tax rate distinct from Polk County's own median (approximately 1.71%, above Iowa's 1.55% statewide median) was found this pass, and Iowa's real, current flat income tax rate is 3.8% (base record).
Key takeaways
- Johnston's home prices run genuinely above the national median, up 12.0% year-over-year.
- Average rent (~$1,387/month) runs a real 1.57% higher year-over-year.
- Polk County's own median effective property tax rate (~1.71%) runs above Iowa's statewide median.
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