salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,960 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 29 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hiawatha?
Share of households by yearly income. 29.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hiawatha
| Size | Hiawatha | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $764 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $951 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,463 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,935 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Hiawatha
Life in Hiawatha
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hiawatha?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $556 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $216,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,690 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hiawatha, IA?
Renting in Hiawatha costs a median of about $949 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Hiawatha?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,960 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hiawatha cheap or expensive?
Hiawatha is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.9% of the typical household income of $71,472. It ranks 29th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hiawatha?
The median homeowner in Hiawatha pays $3,802 a year in property taxes, about 1.75% of the median home value.
Is Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha?
The median home value in Hiawatha is $216,900, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
7,206 people live in Hiawatha. Numbers are typical (middle) values.