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 15.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,000 a year. That is $18 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 24 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Charles City?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Charles City
| Size | Charles City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $515 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $888 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,036 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,273 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Charles City 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 Charles City, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Charles City
Life in Charles City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Charles City?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $124 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $115,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,540 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Charles City, IA?
Renting in Charles City costs a median of about $925 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Charles City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,000 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Charles City cheap or expensive?
Charles City is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.4% of the typical household income of $63,826. It ranks 24th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Charles City?
The median homeowner in Charles City pays $1,754 a year in property taxes, about 1.52% of the median home value.
Is Charles City 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 Charles City?
The median home value in Charles City is $115,400, about 1.8 times the typical yearly household income.
7,232 people live in Charles City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.