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MarketsIowaClintonCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Clinton, IA

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Clinton, IA

Cap Rate
2.89%
Median Price
$170K
Rent/Mo
$780
1% Rule
0.46%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Clinton's price-to-income ratio is 3.4x — homes cost 3.4 times the local median household income of $49,771. This is very affordable. Homes are well within reach of local workers, which can mean a smaller renter pool but also a healthier, more stable market. Rental demand comes from those who choose to rent rather than those priced out of buying.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Clinton (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,131/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,402. The median rent of $780/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Clinton is $49,771, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.4% per year. Clinton is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Clinton is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Clinton Compares

Clinton vs Iowa state average and national average across key investment metrics. Clinton's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Clinton
Iowa Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
2.89%
3.14%
3.81%
Median Price
$170K
$214K
$333K
Median Rent
$780
$1,010
$1,524
Property Tax
1.51%
1.51%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.6%
5.6%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.4%/yr
0.4%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Clinton, IA
2.9%
$170K
$780
1.51%
Ashtabula, OH
4.2%
$170K
$1,000
1.58%
Marion, OH
5.8%
$170K
$1,240
1.58%
Peoria, IL
4.9%
$165K
$1,150
2.1%
Youngstown, OH
4.6%
$165K
$1,050
1.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clinton affordable for renters?
Renters in Clinton spend approximately 19% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $49,771, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Clinton?
Clinton's price-to-income ratio is 3.4x, meaning homes cost 3.4 times the local median income. This is very affordable — below the 4x threshold that typically signals a healthy buyer's market.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clinton?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $170K home is approximately $904/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,175/mo. The median rent of $780/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Clinton's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Clinton ($170K) are 49% below the national average. Rents ($780/mo) are 49% below average. Property taxes (1.51%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Clinton Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Clinton & Related Markets

More Clinton Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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