The cost of living in Iowa

According to the 2014 “Cost of Living in Iowa” report, a parent with two children living in the Cedar Valley would need to earn $27.40 per hour—$54,796 per year before taxes—to cover basics like housing, childcare, healthcare and transportation. That’s above even the state’s median wage of $15.33 per hour.

The report outlines why work supports, such as child care, food and energy assistance, as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit and health care subsidies, are so important to low-income families.

The report was compiled by the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project.

See the full report.