Rent to Income Ratio Comparison
Housing

Illinois vs Iowa: Rent to Income Ratio

Iowa has a lower rent to income ratio than Illinois.

Illinois flag
Illinois
IL • Midwest
18.8%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.
Iowa flag
Iowa
IA • Midwest
Winner
15.5%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

Visual Comparison

Illinois 18.8%
Iowa 15.5%

Difference: 3.30 percentage points — Iowa leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for rent to income ratio.

Illinois #20 · 18.8%
Iowa #2 · 15.5%
Best Worst

10 Best States — Rent to Income Ratio

Lower is better
#1 North Dakota flag North Dakota
15.2%
#2 Iowa flag Iowa
15.5%
#3 South Dakota flag South Dakota
16.0%
#4 Nebraska flag Nebraska
16.5%
#5 Minnesota flag Minnesota
16.6%
#6 Wisconsin flag Wisconsin
17.2%
#7 Kansas flag Kansas
17.7%
#8 Missouri flag Missouri
17.8%
#9 Indiana flag Indiana
17.9%
#10 Wyoming flag Wyoming
17.9%
Selected states
#20 Illinois flag Illinois
18.8%

Illinois ranks 20th and Iowa ranks 2nd nationally for rent to income ratio.

Related Context

Rent Burden in Context

This ratio shows how much of a median paycheck goes straight to the landlord — the higher, the less breathing room renters have.

What This Means

Illinois vs Iowa: Rent to Income Ratio in context

Iowa has a rent to income ratio of 15.5%, compared with 18.8% in Illinois. Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

Illinois
18.8%
Iowa
15.5%
Difference
3.30 percentage points

People Also Ask

Illinois vs Iowa Rent to Income Ratio — Common Questions

Q What is Illinois's rent to income ratio?

Illinois's rent to income ratio is 18.8%.

Q What is Iowa's rent to income ratio?

Iowa's rent to income ratio is 15.5%.

Q Which state has a lower rent to income ratio — Illinois or Iowa?

Iowa has a lower rent to income ratio than Illinois.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.