salaryRent is lower than in 86% 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 19 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,080 a year. That is $20 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 38 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fort Dodge?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Dodge
| Size | Fort Dodge | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $585 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $669 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $891 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,165 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,565 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Fort Dodge
Life in Fort Dodge
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Dodge?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $27 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $144,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $14,410 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Renting in Fort Dodge costs a median of about $1,027 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Dodge?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,080 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Dodge cheap or expensive?
Fort Dodge is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.8% of the typical household income of $65,410. It ranks 38th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Dodge?
The median homeowner in Fort Dodge pays $2,439 a year in property taxes, about 1.69% of the median home value.
Is Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge?
The median home value in Fort Dodge is $144,100, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
24,827 people live in Fort Dodge. Numbers are typical (middle) values.