Salary Guide · 2026
Iowa Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Iowa, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Iowa Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$42,100
-25% vs US median
Household median income
$72,429
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$34,334
Eff. rate: 18.45%
Median monthly take-home
$2,861
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Iowa
Tax system: Flat state income tax (3.8%)
Iowa has recently moved toward a flat income tax structure. Combined with a very affordable cost of living, especially outside Des Moines, salaries go noticeably further here than in coastal states.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · IA state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,894 | $1,900 | $3,825 | $40,381 | $3,365 | 19.24% |
| $75,000 | $7,854 | $2,850 | $5,738 | $58,558 | $4,880 | 21.92% |
| $100,000 | $13,354 | $3,800 | $7,650 | $75,196 | $6,266 | 24.8% |
| $140,000 | $22,514 | $5,320 | $10,710 | $101,456 | $8,455 | 27.53% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Iowa Cities
Based on $100,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Des Moines
COL: 0.93× · 1BR rent: $1,100/mo
Rent burden: 17.6% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Des Moines? →Cedar Rapids
COL: 0.88× · 1BR rent: $1,000/mo
Rent burden: 16.0% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Cedar Rapids? →Davenport
COL: 0.87× · 1BR rent: $980/mo
Rent burden: 15.6% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Davenport? →Sioux City
COL: 0.83× · 1BR rent: $900/mo
Rent burden: 14.4% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Sioux City? →Waterloo
COL: 0.82× · 1BR rent: $880/mo
Rent burden: 14.0% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Waterloo? →Iowa City
COL: 0.95× · 1BR rent: $1,150/mo
Rent burden: 18.4% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Iowa City? →Popular Salary Guides for Iowa
Is This Salary Enough in Iowa?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Iowa?
A $100,000 salary in Iowa yields approximately $75,196 per year ($6,266/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Iowa cities, this is above the state individual median of $42,100 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Iowa?
Iowa has Flat state income tax (3.8%). For a $75,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $2,850. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Iowa?
The individual median income in Iowa is $42,100 and the household median is $72,429 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $48,527–$144,858 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.