Statewide, Iowa — An Iowa State University analysis shows rural households are being disproportionately impacted by rising inflation. The study finds disposable income for rural residents is down 38 percent, compared to 17 percent in cities. ISU researcher Dave Peters says that means rural communities have less of a safety net for unexpected costs.
He says rural households are using more gasoline to travel and fuel to heat their homes — which have been surging in price. And Peters says wages in small towns are growing more slowly than in other places. Peters says he’s most concerned with how long these communities can withstand inflationary costs.
Peters says low-income and older residents are at even greater risk of being impacted.
