Bettendorf, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Bettendorf, IA and Iowa City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Bettendorf scores 90 while Iowa City scores 88 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 Bettendorf is $1,148/month compared to $1,094/month in Iowa City — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Iowa City is more affordable at $273,600 median vs $295,600.

Median household income in Bettendorf is $102,917 compared to $57,533 in Iowa City (+78.9%). While Bettendorf is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bettendorf spend roughly 13.4% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Iowa City.