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History Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Iowa: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a History Teachers, Postsecondary salary really buy you in Iowa?

Iowa is 11.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$77,040
Median annual (2025)
+13.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$87,149
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.4)

Iowa Cost of Living Index

Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.4, meaning prices are 11.6% lower the national average. A History Teachers, Postsecondary earning $77,040 in Iowa has the equivalent purchasing power of $87,149 in an average-cost US state.

IA: 88.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Iowa's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $49,400 $55,882 +$6,482
25th Percentile (P25) $62,620 $70,837 +$8,217
Median (P50) $77,040 $87,149 +$10,109
75th Percentile (P75) $93,160 $105,384 +$12,224
90th Percentile (P90) $128,300 $145,135 +$16,835
Key Insight

A History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa earns $77,040 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $87,149 in an average-cost state. This makes Iowa one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Iowa Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.4

Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 11.6% less than the national average. For a History Teachers, Postsecondary, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.1%

Adjusting $77,040 for Iowa's cost of living yields $87,149 — a 13.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#19 / 45

Iowa sits at #19 of 45 states for History Teachers, Postsecondary COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for History Teachers, Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does History Teachers, Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$113,040
RPP 112.5
$106,466
RPP 93.4
$102,754
RPP 96.2
$99,330
RPP 107.6
5. Maine
$98,819
RPP 100.8
6. Oregon
$97,870
RPP 106.6
7. Arizona
$97,527
RPP 99.9
$95,886
RPP 109.4
$95,817
RPP 106.4
10. Minnesota
$95,158
RPP 97.7

Iowa ranks #19 out of 45 states for History Teachers, Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See History Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa after cost of living?

A History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa earns a median salary of $77,040 per year. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (RPP=88.4), the real purchasing power is $87,149 — a +13.1% difference.

Is Iowa expensive to live in?

Iowa's cost of living is 11.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Iowa is 88.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa: $77,040 x (100 / 88.4) = $87,149. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A History Teachers, Postsecondary in Iowa enjoys 13.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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