Cost of living in Fort Dodge, IA — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Fort Dodge, IA is $129,572 as of 2026-04. That places Fort Dodge below the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 36 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Fort Dodge has moved sideways, and over the past five years it has averaged +2.4% annual growth. The current price sits -0.1% from its 5-year peak in 2022-08.

Renters pay a median of $834 per month in Fort Dodge. Rents have changed — over the last year and averaged — per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Fort Dodge are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.