Gilman is a small town of 584 in Iowa, with a median household income of $98,438
and a 7.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Gilman 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 Gilman is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Gilman 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: 86.0
Gilman's overall cost of living index is 86.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Gilman costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Gilman, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$81,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$663
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
82.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$98,438
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Gilman's violent crime rate is 208.3 per 100,000 residents
— 45% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
208.3 /100k
Property Crime
1242.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Gilman is served primarily by East Marshall Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Gilman, IA
National Avg
School District
East Marshall Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Gilman sees average highs of 28.3°F in January
and 83.3°F in July,
with 37.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 27.7 inches of snow per year.
Gilman's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Gilman roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $81,800 and median rent is $663/month.
Gilman's violent crime rate is 208.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1242.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Gilman are operated by East Marshall Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 14.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Gilman, IA has a population of 584, a median household income of $98,438, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%.
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.
Gilman averages 28.3°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.2 inches
with about 27.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Gilman, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50106.
The population of Gilman, Iowa is 584 with a median age of 42.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Gilman: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $81,800, median household income $98,438, crime index 57 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gilman side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
