Below Average CostVery SafeWest Branch Comm School District
West Branch, Iowa (2022) · David Wilson / CC BY 2.0Herbert Hoover birthplace · Billwhittaker / CC BY-SA 3.0Jesse Hoover blacksmith shop · Billwhittaker / CC BY-SA 3.0
West Branch is a small town of 2,503 in Iowa, with a median household income of $72,938
and a 0.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Branch 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 West Branch is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Branch 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: 93.0
West Branch's overall cost of living index is 93.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Branch costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Branch, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$205,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$906
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
77.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$72,938
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Branch's violent crime rate is 105.6 per 100,000 residents
— 72% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
105.6 /100k
Property Crime
316.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Branch is served primarily by West Branch Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Branch, IA
National Avg
School District
West Branch Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
26.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Branch sees average highs of 29.3°F in January
and 84.4°F in July,
with 38.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 27.5 inches of snow per year.
West Branch's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Branch roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $205,000 and median rent is $906/month.
West Branch's violent crime rate is 105.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 316.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Branch are operated by West Branch Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1. 26.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Branch, IA has a population of 2,503, a median household income of $72,938, and an unemployment rate of 0.5%.
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.
West Branch averages 29.3°F in January and 84.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.5 inches
with about 27.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Branch, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 52358.
The population of West Branch, Iowa is 2,503 with a median age of 35.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Branch: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $205,000, median household income $72,938, crime index 23 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Branch side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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