salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 12.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,400 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 83 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cherokee?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cherokee
| Size | Cherokee | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $467 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $822 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $766 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,172 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cherokee 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 Cherokee, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Cherokee
Life in Cherokee
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cherokee?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $736 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $136,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cherokee, IA?
Renting in Cherokee costs a median of about $1,685 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Cherokee?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,400 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cherokee cheap or expensive?
Cherokee is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.4% of the typical household income of $66,597. It ranks 83rd cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cherokee?
The median homeowner in Cherokee pays $1,547 a year in property taxes, about 1.13% of the median home value.
Is Cherokee 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 Cherokee?
The median home value in Cherokee is $136,700, about 2.1 times the typical yearly household income.
5,154 people live in Cherokee. Numbers are typical (middle) values.