Where Do You Stand? Income Percentile in Iowa
2024 household income distribution — see how your income compares
Median Income
$85,000
50th percentile
Top 25%
$135,696
75th percentile cutoff
Top 10%
$255,264
90th percentile cutoff
Top 1%
$452,200
99th percentile cutoff
The median household income in Iowa is $85,000, 1.7% above the national median of $83,592.
Iowa Income Percentile Cutoffs (2024)
Each row shows the minimum household income needed to be in that percentile or above. For example, earning more than $85k puts you above 50% of Iowa households.
| Percentile | Minimum Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,300 | Earns more than 10% of households |
| 20th | $36,000 | Earns more than 20% of households |
| 25th | $45,800 | Earns more than 25% of households |
| 30th | $53,600 | Below-median income |
| 40th | $69,300 | Below-median income |
| 50th (Median) | $85,000 | Below-median income |
| 60th | $105,300 | Above-median income |
| 70th | $125,600 | Above-median income |
| 75th | $135,700 | Above-median income |
| 80th | $175,600 | Upper-middle income |
| 90th | $255,300 | Upper-middle income |
| 95th | $341,200 | High income |
| 99th | $452,200 | Top 1% of earners |
Source: DQYDJ / IPUMS CPS 2024. Household income includes all earners in the household.
Median Income by Age Group — Iowa
Income typically peaks in the 45–54 age range, reflecting career progression and peak earning years. Estimates scaled from Census ACS 2023 data.
| Age Group | Median Household Income | vs. State Median |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $38,640 | -54.5% |
| 25–34 | $71,179 | -16.3% |
| 35–44 | $93,550 | +10.1% |
| 45–54 | $98,634 | +16.0% |
| 55–64 | $89,482 | +5.3% |
| 65+ | $58,977 | -30.6% |
What It Means to Be Middle Class in Iowa
Using the Pew Research Center definition — households earning between 67% and 200% of the state median — the middle class income range in Iowa runs from $56,950 to $170,000 per year.
Lower Middle Class
$57k
67% of median
State Median
$85k
50th percentile
Upper Middle Class
$170k
200% of median
Cost of living significantly affects what it "feels like" to be middle class. A $85k income in Iowa has different purchasing power than the same income in another state.
Related Calculators
Compare to Similar States
Curious about Iowa taxes? See the Iowa 2025 tax brackets to understand how much of your income goes to state taxes at each income level.
Frequently Asked Questions — Income Percentile in Iowa
What is the median household income in Iowa?
The median household income in Iowa is $85,000 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). This means half of all households earn more and half earn less than this figure. The national median for comparison is $83,592.
What income puts you in the top 10% in Iowa?
To be in the top 10% of earners in Iowa, a household needs to earn at least $255,264 per year. The top 5% threshold is approximately $341,227, and the top 1% begins at $452,200.
What counts as middle class in Iowa?
Using the Pew Research Center's definition (67%–200% of the median income), the middle-class range in Iowa is roughly $56,950 to $170,000 per year for a household. Households below this range are lower income; above it are upper income.
Where does this income data come from?
All income percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 2024 1-Year Estimates. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and is the most comprehensive source of state-level income distribution data. CalcFi updates this data annually following each ACS release.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table B19001. Percentile calculations are approximate. Last updated: March 2025.