Montezuma is a small town of 1,335 in Iowa, with a median household income of $62,764
and a 10.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Montezuma 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 Montezuma is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Montezuma 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: 91.1
Montezuma's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Montezuma costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Montezuma, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$150,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$858
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
48.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$62,764
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Montezuma's violent crime rate is 135.1 per 100,000 residents
— 64% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
135.1 /100k
Property Crime
989.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Montezuma is served primarily by Montezuma Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Montezuma, IA
National Avg
School District
Montezuma Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Montezuma sees average highs of 28.3°F in January
and 83.3°F in July,
with 37.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 30.0 inches of snow per year.
Montezuma's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Montezuma roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $150,900 and median rent is $858/month.
Montezuma's violent crime rate is 135.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 989.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Montezuma are operated by Montezuma Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.6:1. 19.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Montezuma, IA has a population of 1,335, a median household income of $62,764, and an unemployment rate of 10.1%.
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.
Montezuma averages 28.3°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.4 inches
with about 30.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Montezuma, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50171.
The population of Montezuma, Iowa is 1,335 with a median age of 39.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Montezuma: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $150,900, median household income $62,764, crime index 40 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Montezuma side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
