Belle Plaine, IA vs Maquoketa, IA

Belle Plaine, IA and Maquoketa, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 65 while Maquoketa scores 65 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 Belle Plaine is $796/month compared to $745/month in Maquoketa — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Maquoketa has cheaper rent, Belle Plaine actually has lower median home values ($111,600 vs $126,800).

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $56,039 in Maquoketa (+25.8%). Belle Plaine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in Maquoketa.