Ankeny, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Marshalltown, IA is dramatic. Marshalltown is 43.1% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Marshalltown sits at 68, 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 $864/month in Marshalltown — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (+54.8%). 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 15.1% in Marshalltown.