Ankeny, IA vs Muscatine, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Muscatine, IA is dramatic. Muscatine is 31.6% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Muscatine sits at 74, 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 $979/month in Muscatine — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Muscatine is more affordable at $146,900 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $59,332 in Muscatine (+79.7%). 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 19.8% in Muscatine.