salaryRent is higher than in 51% 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 19.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,560 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 80 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Grimes?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Grimes
| Size | Grimes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,303 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,462 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,988 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Grimes 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 Grimes, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Grimes
Life in Grimes
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Grimes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $450 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $304,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $30,470 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Grimes, IA?
Renting in Grimes costs a median of about $1,664 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Grimes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,560 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Grimes cheap or expensive?
Grimes is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.4% of the typical household income of $129,460. It ranks 80th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Grimes?
The median homeowner in Grimes pays $5,377 a year in property taxes, about 1.76% of the median home value.
Is Grimes 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 Grimes?
The median home value in Grimes is $304,700, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
16,366 people live in Grimes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.