salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $34,160 a year. That is $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 11 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Boone?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Boone
| Size | Boone | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $731 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $983 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,222 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Boone overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Boone, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Boone
Life in Boone
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Boone?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $346 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $173,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Boone, IA?
Renting in Boone costs a median of about $854 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Boone?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $34,160 a year, or $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Boone cheap or expensive?
Boone is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.7% of the typical household income of $74,656. It ranks 11th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Boone?
The median homeowner in Boone pays $2,823 a year in property taxes, about 1.63% of the median home value.
Is Boone more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Boone?
The median home value in Boone is $173,000, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
12,424 people live in Boone. Numbers are typical (middle) values.