Missouri Valley is a small town of 2,692 in Iowa, with a median household income of $61,480
and a 4.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Missouri Valley stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Missouri Valley is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Missouri Valley 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: 92.5
Missouri Valley's overall cost of living index is 92.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Missouri Valley costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Missouri Valley, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$122,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$800
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
58.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$61,480
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Missouri Valley's violent crime rate is 151.0 per 100,000 residents
— 60% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
151.0 /100k
Property Crime
1132.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Missouri Valley is served primarily by Missouri Valley Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Missouri Valley, IA
National Avg
School District
Missouri Valley Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Missouri Valley sees average highs of 30.7°F in January
and 85.6°F in July,
with 34.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.7 inches of snow per year.
Missouri Valley's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Missouri Valley roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $122,200 and median rent is $800/month.
Missouri Valley's violent crime rate is 151.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1132.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Missouri Valley are operated by Missouri Valley Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 13.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Missouri Valley, IA has a population of 2,692, a median household income of $61,480, and an unemployment rate of 4.6%.
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.
Missouri Valley averages 30.7°F in January and 85.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.4 inches
with about 28.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Missouri Valley, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 51555.
The population of Missouri Valley, Iowa is 2,692 with a median age of 39.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Missouri Valley: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $122,200, median household income $61,480, 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 Missouri Valley side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
