salaryRent is lower than in 76% 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 10.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,080 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 57 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Storm Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Storm Lake
| Size | Storm Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $528 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $907 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,044 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,244 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Storm Lake
Life in Storm Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Storm Lake?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $7 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $172,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Storm Lake, IA?
Renting in Storm Lake costs a median of about $1,202 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Storm Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,080 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Storm Lake cheap or expensive?
Storm Lake is rated OK: rent takes 21.3% of the typical household income of $67,692. It ranks 57th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Storm Lake?
The median homeowner in Storm Lake pays $2,482 a year in property taxes, about 1.44% of the median home value.
Is Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake?
The median home value in Storm Lake is $172,200, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
11,428 people live in Storm Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.