Princeton is a small town of 882 in Iowa, with a median household income of $79,940
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Princeton 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 Princeton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Princeton 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: 89.3
Princeton's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Princeton costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Princeton, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$229,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$745
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
82.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$79,940
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Princeton's violent crime rate is 393.8 per 100,000 residents
— 4% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
393.8 /100k
Property Crime
2347.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Princeton is served primarily by North Scott Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.0:1
.
Metric
Princeton, IA
National Avg
School District
North Scott Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Princeton sees average highs of 30.5°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 38.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 31.9 inches of snow per year.
Princeton's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Princeton roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $229,500 and median rent is $745/month.
Princeton's violent crime rate is 393.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2347.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Princeton are operated by North Scott Comm School District.
The district has 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.0:1. 20.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Princeton, IA has a population of 882, a median household income of $79,940, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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.
Princeton averages 30.5°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.8 inches
with about 31.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Princeton, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 52768.
The population of Princeton, Iowa is 882 with a median age of 45.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Princeton: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $229,500, median household income $79,940, crime index 107 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Princeton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
