Winterset is a small town of 5,366 in Iowa, with a median household income of $71,411
and a 1.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Winterset 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 Winterset is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Winterset 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
Winterset's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Winterset costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Winterset, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$175,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$936
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$71,411
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Winterset's violent crime rate is 186.1 per 100,000 residents
— 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
186.1 /100k
Property Crime
725.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Winterset is served primarily by Winterset Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Winterset, IA
National Avg
School District
Winterset Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
96.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Winterset sees average highs of 29.9°F in January
and 83.8°F in July,
with 34.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 30.7 inches of snow per year.
Winterset's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Winterset roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $175,000 and median rent is $936/month.
Winterset's violent crime rate is 186.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 725.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Winterset are operated by Winterset Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.7:1. 22.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Winterset, IA has a population of 5,366, a median household income of $71,411, and an unemployment rate of 1.1%.
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.
Winterset averages 29.9°F in January and 83.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 34.8 inches
with about 30.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Winterset, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50273.
The population of Winterset, Iowa is 5,366 with a median age of 36.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Winterset: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $175,000, median household income $71,411, crime index 43 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Winterset side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
