salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 13.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,440 a year. That is $23 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 53 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Pella?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Pella
| Size | Pella | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $652 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $994 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,267 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,146 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,729 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Pella 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 Pella, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Pella
Life in Pella
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Pella?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $845 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $292,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Pella, IA?
Renting in Pella costs a median of about $1,186 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Pella?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,440 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Pella cheap or expensive?
Pella is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.7% of the typical household income of $90,714. It ranks 53rd cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Pella?
The median homeowner in Pella pays $3,678 a year in property taxes, about 1.26% of the median home value.
Is Pella 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 Pella?
The median home value in Pella is $292,700, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
10,720 people live in Pella. Numbers are typical (middle) values.