West Union is a small town of 2,468 in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,050
and a 1.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Union stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether West Union is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Union 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: 89.9
West Union's overall cost of living index is 89.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Union costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Union, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$124,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$833
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
63.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,050
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Union's violent crime rate is 162.8 per 100,000 residents
— 57% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
162.8 /100k
Property Crime
254.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Union is served primarily by North Fayette Valley Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Union, IA
National Avg
School District
North Fayette Valley Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Union sees average highs of 24.5°F in January
and 81.6°F in July,
with 39.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 41.1 inches of snow per year.
West Union's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Union roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $124,400 and median rent is $833/month.
West Union's violent crime rate is 162.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 254.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Union are operated by North Fayette Valley Comm School District.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 24.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Union, IA has a population of 2,468, a median household income of $50,050, and an unemployment rate of 1.9%.
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.
West Union averages 24.5°F in January and 81.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.5 inches
with about 41.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Union, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 52175.
The population of West Union, Iowa is 2,468 with a median age of 40.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Union: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $124,400, median household income $50,050, crime index 31 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Union side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
