salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $35,920 a year. That is $17 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 19 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Red Oak?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Red Oak
| Size | Red Oak | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $588 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $904 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $974 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,251 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Red Oak 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 Red Oak, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Red Oak
Life in Red Oak
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Red Oak?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $206 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $99,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $9,970 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Red Oak, IA?
Renting in Red Oak costs a median of about $898 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Red Oak?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $35,920 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Red Oak cheap or expensive?
Red Oak is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.9% of the typical household income of $54,043. It ranks 19th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Red Oak?
The median homeowner in Red Oak pays $1,950 a year in property taxes, about 1.96% of the median home value.
Is Red Oak 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 Red Oak?
The median home value in Red Oak is $99,700, about 1.8 times the typical yearly household income.
5,510 people live in Red Oak. Numbers are typical (middle) values.