Runnells is a small town of 388 in Iowa, with a median household income of $95,000
and a 5.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Runnells stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Runnells is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Runnells 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
Runnells's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Runnells costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Runnells, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$185,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$696
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
80.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$95,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Runnells's violent crime rate is 398.8 per 100,000 residents
— 5% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
398.8 /100k
Property Crime
2178.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Runnells is served primarily by Southeast Polk Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Runnells, IA
National Avg
School District
Southeast Polk Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Runnells sees average highs of 30.0°F in January
and 83.5°F in July,
with 36.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.5 inches of snow per year.
Runnells's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Runnells roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $185,000 and median rent is $696/month.
Runnells's violent crime rate is 398.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2178.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Runnells are operated by Southeast Polk Comm School District.
The district has 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Runnells, IA has a population of 388, a median household income of $95,000, and an unemployment rate of 5.9%.
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.
Runnells averages 30.0°F in January and 83.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.6 inches
with about 36.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Runnells, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50237.
The population of Runnells, Iowa is 388 with a median age of 39.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Runnells: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $185,000, median household income $95,000, crime index 104 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Runnells side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
