Bussey is a small town of 418 in Iowa, with a median household income of $47,000
and a 5.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 83 (US average = 100), which is
17% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bussey stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bussey is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bussey city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 82.6
Bussey's overall cost of living index is 82.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bussey costs roughly 17% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bussey, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$56,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$546
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
81.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Bussey's violent crime rate is 186.4 per 100,000 residents
— 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
186.4 /100k
Property Crime
815.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bussey is served primarily by Twin Cedars Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bussey, IA
National Avg
School District
Twin Cedars Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bussey sees average highs of 31.3°F in January
and 84.4°F in July,
with 36.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 30.0 inches of snow per year.
Bussey's cost of living index is 83, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bussey roughly 17% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $56,500 and median rent is $546/month.
Bussey's violent crime rate is 186.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 815.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bussey are operated by Twin Cedars Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1. 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bussey, IA has a population of 418, a median household income of $47,000, and an unemployment rate of 5.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bussey averages 31.3°F in January and 84.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.5 inches
with about 30.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bussey, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50044.
The population of Bussey, Iowa is 418 with a median age of 45.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bussey: cost of living index 83 (100 = US average), median home $56,500, median household income $47,000, crime index 45 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bussey side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
