How much does smoking cost in Iowa? (2026)
$9.95
average pack in Iowa (Jan 2026), #27 most expensive of 51. State excise $1.36 + federal $1.01.
$3,632a year for a pack a day
5.2%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$46,780roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Iowa prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $25,807 | $54,773 |
| 2006 | $44,917 | $179,151 |
| 1996 | $55,244 | $281,287 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Iowa
| 1970 | $0.39 |
| 1980 | $0.61 |
| 1990 | $1.55 |
| 2000 | $2.99 |
| 2010 | $5.74 |
| 2020 | $6.35 |
| 2026 | $9.95 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Iowa, 11.7% of adults smoke, down from 20.4% in 2011. 26.4% are former smokers: more people in Iowa have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.