Martensdale is a small town of 579 in Iowa, with a median household income of $46,786
and a 6.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Martensdale stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Martensdale is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Martensdale 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: 92.7
Martensdale's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Martensdale costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Martensdale, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$158,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$816
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
74.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,786
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Martensdale's violent crime rate is 118.5 per 100,000 residents
— 69% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
118.5 /100k
Property Crime
514.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Martensdale is served primarily by Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Martensdale, IA
National Avg
School District
Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Martensdale sees average highs of 31.7°F in January
and 85.5°F in July,
with 37.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 30.8 inches of snow per year.
Martensdale's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Martensdale roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $158,500 and median rent is $816/month.
Martensdale's violent crime rate is 118.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 514.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Martensdale are operated by Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1. 13.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Martensdale, IA has a population of 579, a median household income of $46,786, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%.
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.
Martensdale averages 31.7°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.8 inches
with about 30.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Martensdale, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50160.
The population of Martensdale, Iowa is 579 with a median age of 39.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Martensdale: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $158,500, median household income $46,786, crime index 29 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Martensdale side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
