Utah vs Iowa: taxes, cost of living, laws

Utah

Moderate tax burden · COL index 101

Wins 5 categories

Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 10 categories

Cost of living in Utah (index 101) runs 15% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Utah's 0.44%. The median home in Utah costs $500K vs $215K in Iowa.

Utah

Iowa

Taxes

4.65%

Income Tax (top rate)

3.8%

0.44%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.42%/yr

7.19%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.94%

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

101

COL Index (100=avg)

$500K

Median Home Price

$215K

$1,650/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,050/mo

$900/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

237

Violent Crime / 100K

284

2,280

Property Crime / 100K

1,626

277

Sex Offenders / 100K

213

110

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#31 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#21 of 50

79.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

78 yrs

9.8%

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#37 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,150/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,100/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$110/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$135/mo

$490/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$440/mo

#17 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#8 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Utah

Iowa

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