Melcher-Dallas is a small town of 1,278 in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,096
and a 6.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Melcher-Dallas stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Melcher-Dallas is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Melcher-Dallas 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: 88.6
Melcher-Dallas's overall cost of living index is 88.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Melcher-Dallas costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Melcher-Dallas, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$80,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$931
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
77.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$60,096
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Melcher-Dallas'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
Melcher-Dallas is served primarily by Melcher-Dallas Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Melcher-Dallas, IA
National Avg
School District
Melcher-Dallas Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Melcher-Dallas sees average highs of 29.9°F in January
and 84.6°F in July,
with 37.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 24.1 inches of snow per year.
Melcher-Dallas's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Melcher-Dallas roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $80,600 and median rent is $931/month.
Melcher-Dallas'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 Melcher-Dallas are operated by Melcher-Dallas Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1. 14.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Melcher-Dallas, IA has a population of 1,278, a median household income of $60,096, and an unemployment rate of 6.6%.
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.
Melcher-Dallas averages 29.9°F in January and 84.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.4 inches
with about 24.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Melcher-Dallas, IA is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 50062, 50163.
The population of Melcher-Dallas, Iowa is 1,278 with a median age of 34.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Melcher-Dallas: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $80,600, median household income $60,096, 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 Melcher-Dallas side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
