Ankeny, IA vs Waukee, IA

Ankeny, IA and Waukee, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Ankeny scores 97 while Waukee scores 98 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $1,290/month in Waukee — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ankeny is more affordable at $311,300 median vs $328,200.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $106,728 in Waukee (-0.1%). Waukee does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Waukee.