Living in Laurel, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Laurel · Census data 2020–2024
Laurel has 278 residents with a median age of 53.6. The median household income is $61,250 (18% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $103,100, the median rent is $666/month.
Laurel is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Laurel at a glance
- Population
- 278
- Median age
- 53.6State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $61,250State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $103,100State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $666/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 79.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Laurel a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 8.3%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Laurel
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Laurel the median home value is $103,100, 69% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $666 per month, which is 22.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,183 a month in housing costs.
Laurel median household income
The median household income in Laurel is $61,250 and the income per person is $33,900. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Laurel: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 162
- Owner-occupied
- 79.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 20.6%
- Vacant
- 13%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1948
- Average household size
- 1.97
Laurel demographics
- Population
- 278
- Median age
- 53.6
- Under 18
- 13.7%
- 65 and older
- 24.1%
- Households
- 141
- Foreign-born
- 2.2%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Laurel ›
Education in Laurel
10% of adults 25 and older in Laurel have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 1.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Laurel
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 0.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.5%
Laurel vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel | 278 | $61,250 | $103,100 | $666 |
| Haverhill | 142 | $61,607 | $115,300 | — |
| Gilman | 623 | $101,136 | $88,700 | $678 |
| Melbourne | 804 | $71,667 | $155,400 | $756 |
| Marshalltown | 27,626 | $69,068 | $127,700 | $891 |
| Le Grand | 720 | $76,250 | $145,700 | $533 |
| Kellogg | 676 | $36,944 | $115,800 | $804 |
| Oakland Acres | 191 | $103,000 | $256,300 | — |
| Baxter | 1,247 | $60,952 | $166,700 | $900 |
More for people moving to Laurel
Laurel ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Laurel: FAQ
What is the median household income in Laurel, IA?
The median household income in Laurel is $61,250, 18% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Laurel?
The median home value in Laurel is $103,100, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Laurel?
The median gross rent in Laurel is $666 per month, about 22.8% of household income.
Is Laurel, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.9%; a poverty rate of 8.3%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
What is the median age in Laurel?
The median age in Laurel is 53.6 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Laurel?
The average commute to work in Laurel is 26 minutes; 0.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Laurel?
The unemployment rate in Laurel is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Laurel?
10% of adults in Laurel have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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