Baxter, IA vs Marquette, IA

Baxter, IA and Marquette, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Baxter scores 67 while Marquette scores 64 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 Baxter is $693/month compared to $696/month in Marquette — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Baxter has cheaper rent, Marquette actually has lower median home values ($137,000 vs $162,300).

Median household income in Baxter is $60,625 compared to $38,125 in Marquette (+59%). While Baxter is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baxter spend roughly 13.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Marquette.