Iowa vs Rhode Island: taxes, cost of living, laws

Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 9 categories

Rhode Island

High tax burden · COL index 114

Wins 7 categories

Rhode Island's top income tax rate is 5.99% vs Iowa's 3.8%. Cost of living in Rhode Island (index 114) runs 30% higher than Iowa (index 88). The median home in Rhode Island costs $430K vs $215K in Iowa. Politically, Iowa voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Rhode Island went Democratic (D+17.0).

Iowa

Rhode Island

Taxes

3.8%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

1.42%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.3%/yr

6.94%

Sales Tax (avg)

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

114

$215K

Median Home Price

$430K

$1,050/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,800/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

284

Violent Crime / 100K

237

1,626

Property Crime / 100K

1,527

213

Sex Offenders / 100K

204

Homeless / 100K

220

Healthcare

#21 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#4 of 50

78 yrs

Life Expectancy

78.1 yrs

5.8%

Uninsured Rate

4.7%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#15 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#13 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,100/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,750/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$135/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$195/mo

$440/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$610/mo

#8 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#50 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+17.0

Category wins

Iowa

Rhode Island

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →