Cost of Living in Ankeny, IA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $877 (excluding rent), and $1,994 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,045 (excluding rent), and $3,804 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.28 $15.28

$7.13 $7.13

$25.47 $25.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$58.4 $58.4

$25.39 $25.39

$122 $122

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.14 $12.14

$8.10 $8.10

$12.40 $12.40

Cappuccino

$5.96 $5.96

$3.47 $3.47

$5.96 $5.96

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.46 $1.46

$2.92 $2.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 $1.52

$0.98 $0.98

$2.93 $2.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.88 $4.88

$2.93 $2.93

$6.34 $6.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.98 $6.98

$3.99 $3.99

$8.97 $8.97

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$0.46 $0.46

$1.52 $1.52

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.08 $1.08

$3.57 $3.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.74 $1.74

$2.17 $2.17

Eggs

$3.64 $3.64

$2.02 $2.02

$9.06 $9.06

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.79 $10.79

$6.56 $6.56

$14.26 $14.26

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.77 $10.77

$5.20 $5.20

$15.21 $15.21

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.54 $14.54

$6.18 $6.18

$17.66 $17.66

Apples (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.19 $2.19

$8.80 $8.80

Banana (1kg)

$1.95 $1.95

$0.85 $0.85

$4.35 $4.35

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.18 $2.18

$6.54 $6.54

Tomato (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$1.71 $1.71

$6.42 $6.42

Potato (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$1.78 $1.78

$8.48 $8.48

Onion (1kg)

$3.40 $3.40

$1.87 $1.87

$4.47 $4.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 $1.04

$2.73 $2.73

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 $0.66

$2.86 $2.86

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.91 $8.91

$6.72 $6.72

$9.90 $9.90

Wine (Bottle)

$15.32 $15.32

$10.02 $10.02

$20.04 $20.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.15 $1.15

$3.96 $3.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.48 $1.48

$3.96 $3.96

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.28 $1.28

$2.05 $2.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 $2.05

$8.21 $8.21

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.27 $1.27

$3.03 $3.03

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.04 $20.04

$35.06 $35.06

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.73 $0.73

$0.93 $0.93

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.5K $35.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.2K $24.2K

$21.2K $21.2K

$24.6K $24.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$144 $144

$49.87 $49.87

$160 $160

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.0 $50.0

$22.16 $22.16

$55.4 $55.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.5 $64.5

$40.22 $40.22

$80.5 $80.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.15 $43.15

$17.56 $17.56

$50.2 $50.2

Cinema Ticket

$15.27 $15.27

$10.18 $10.18

$15.27 $15.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,120 $1,120

$1,394 $1,394

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K $11.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.82 $48.82

$24.91 $24.91

$88.7 $88.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.52 $34.52

$14.79 $14.79

$49.31 $49.31

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.9 $86.9

$50.6 $50.6

$137 $137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$92.6 $92.6

$49.52 $49.52

$208 $208

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$925 $925

$650 $650

$1,200 $1,200

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$920 $920

$447 $447

$1,392 $1,392

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,844 $1,844

$1,524 $1,524

$2,164 $2,164

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,387 $1,387

$958 $958

$1,815 $1,815

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,504 $5,504

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 3, 2026

Ankeny, IA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Ankeny, IA - Frequently Asked Questions

For many, Cost of Living in Ankeny, IA, United States sits competitively among midwestern towns: housing tends to be more accessible than in coastal metros, groceries stay reasonable, and services align with local norms. The city offers quiet neighborhoods, reliable utilities, and straightforward budgeting without extreme spikes. Proximity to Des Moines broadens job and dining options, keeping day-to-day costs in check for short-term stays or longer expat assignments. Tip: start with a walkable neighborhood tour and a short-term rental to feel out daily costs before you decide.

If you’re navigating daily life, you’ll notice a practical rhythm: suburban-style housing in shared complexes or single-family options, a range of grocers from big-box to local markets, and dependable transit with growing bike lanes. For work, you’ll find coworking spaces modestly priced and quiet cafes for focused days. Errands are manageable thanks to a solid retail strip and several malls not far away. Consider the Ankeny, IA, United States living cost when planning a flexible budget; plan seasonal groceries around harvests and sales. Tip: map your daily routes to minimize backtracking.

Quality of life here blends small-town ease with access to a larger metro. To budget well, use a simple framework: divide expenses into housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure, and compare month to month rather than chasing exact prices. Seasonality shapes energy needs and recreation, so build a buffer for extreme months. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace – family-oriented subdivisions versus walkable cores near services. Tip: tap into local community calendars and swap tips with neighbors to discover free events and budget-friendly routines.