Lawyer Salary in Iowa: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Lawyer salary really buy you in Iowa?

Iowa is 11.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$107,870

Median annual (2024)

→ +13.1%

Real Purchasing Power

$122,024

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 Lawyer earning $107,870 in Iowa has the equivalent purchasing power of $122,024 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)	$49,530	$56,029	+$6,499
25th Percentile (P25)	$76,410	$86,436	+$10,026
Median (P50)	$107,870	$122,024	+$14,154
75th Percentile (P75)	$161,540	$182,737	+$21,197
90th Percentile (P90)	$216,600	$245,022	+$28,422

Key Insight

A Lawyer in Iowa earns $107,870 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $122,024 in an average-cost state. This makes Iowa one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Lawyer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Lawyer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Delaware

$176,234

RPP 98.0

2. California

$175,813

RPP 112.5

3. New York

$164,693

RPP 107.6

4. Colorado

$164,193

RPP 102.3

5. Massachusetts

$163,665

RPP 109.4

6. Illinois

$155,301

RPP 101.3

7. Virginia

$154,730

RPP 102.1

8. Connecticut

$149,661

RPP 106.4

9. New Jersey

$145,652

RPP 108.8

10. Alabama

$145,398

RPP 87.8

Iowa ranks #33 out of 49 states for Lawyer after cost-of-living adjustment.

What To Do Next

Build a Professional Resume

Stand out to employers with a polished, ATS-friendly resume.

Upgrade Your Skills

Take courses from top universities and companies to boost your career.

Learn New Skills

Affordable courses in tech, business, and professional development.

Grow Your Career

Expert-led courses plus LinkedIn profile integration.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Lawyer in Iowa after cost of living?

A Lawyer in Iowa earns a median salary of $107,870 per year. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (RPP=88.4), the real purchasing power is $122,024 — 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 Lawyer in Iowa: $107,870 x (100 / 88.4) = $122,024. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Lawyer in Iowa financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Lawyer 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.