Ankeny, IA vs Fort Dodge, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Fort Dodge, IA is dramatic. Fort Dodge is 47.6% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Fort Dodge sits at 66, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $764/month in Fort Dodge — a 67% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Dodge is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $61,769 in Fort Dodge (+72.6%). While Ankeny is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Fort Dodge.